Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Edward Kennedy's son, opts to retire at 42
The 42-year-old Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island has decided not to seek a ninth term from the itty-bitty state's First District.
Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died last August of a brain tumor, is the 32d representative and the 14th Democrat to announce their retirement at the end of this congressional term, about 7% of the entire House membership.
His departure means for the first time in nearly a half-century there will be no member of the Kennedy clan in the United States Congress.
Patrick Kennedy, who was born after the assassination of his uncle, , the president, John F. was a standard liberal on social issues and more centrist on foreign policy and national security.
While he proved eminently successful as a party fundraiser and easily won re-elections (69-24 in 2008), the bachelor's personal life was littered with problems, including depression and at least two rehabs for alcoholism and addiction to pain killers.
Kennedy's departure is unlikely to change the party balance of power, as his Rhode Island district is heavily Democratic, having gone for Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain 65-33 in 2008.
-- Andrew Malcolm
No retirements here. Click here to receive Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item all day every day. Or follow us @latimestot. You can also go to our Facebook FAN page to follow.
Photo: Associated Press
Oh well, the "Kennedy magic" just doesn't cut it anymore, so why not retire at the ripe old age of 42, right Patrick? With Massachusetts setting a new course,
the same could easily happen in little 'ol Rhode Island. Yep, the writing is on the wall Patrick. Time to move on, right??
Posted by: Katie | February 11, 2010 at 11:21 PM
It will be the first time since 1947 that a Kennedy hasn't been in the White House or Congress.
Posted by: Joanne | February 12, 2010 at 12:19 AM
It would be nice, for once, if journalists and media personalities could refer to Rhode Island without using cliched put-downs like "itty-bitty." If these people had ever spent any time in Rhode Island, perhaps they would have something more intelligent to say in describing the thirteenth state.
(Perhaps not, but either way, a little respect please!)
Posted by: andrea | February 12, 2010 at 12:39 AM
Damn it! He took away our chance to Scott Brown him! I am somewhat disappointed by this move, but it is the smartest thing he's ever done in politics. Imagine the shame of being the first Kennedy voted out of office
Posted by: James from RI | February 12, 2010 at 01:56 AM
Good riddance!!
Posted by: Thomas Jefferson | February 12, 2010 at 03:56 AM
Maybe this will allow him the time to get the help he so desperately needs. Good luck. Rehab is no fun.
Posted by: digitus impudicus | February 12, 2010 at 11:03 AM