Representative Patrick Kennedy has decided not to seek re-election after eight terms in Congress, saying his life is “taking a new direction” just months after the death of his father and mentor, Senator Edward Kennedy.
The Rhode Island Democrat taped a message with his decision to be aired on Rhode Island’s television stations tomorrow night. Associated Press viewed the message on Thursday, ahead of the announcement.
“Now having spent two decades in politics, my life is taking a new direction and I will not be a candidate for re-election this year,” Kennedy said.
The decision comes less than a month after a stunning upset by Republican Scott Brown in the race for the Massachusetts Senate seat his father held for almost half a century. Last week, as Brown was sworn into the seat, Patrick Kennedy called Brown’s candidacy a “joke” and predicted Brown would betray his union supporters.
Kennedy did not give a reason for his decision, but he began the message by saying it had been a difficult few years for many people, then segued into the death of his father.
“Illness took the life of my most cherished mentor and confidante, my ultimate source of spirit and strength,” he said, as a black-and-white photo of him as a boy sailing with his father appeared on the screen. “From the countless lives he lifted, to the American promise he helped shape, my father taught me that politics at its very core was about serving others.”
Mark Weiner, a major Democratic fund-raiser in Rhode Island and one of Kennedy’s top financial backers, said he had spoken with Kennedy about his decision and that his father’s death had taken an enormous toll.
“It’s tough to get up and go to work every day when your partner is not there,” Weiner said. “I think he just had a broken heart after his father passed away.”
Kennedy said in his ad that he remained committed to public service and he thanked Rhode Island voters for supporting him through ups and downs.
He has been in and out of treatment for substance abuse since crashing his car outside the US Capitol in 2006. Still, he has been comfortably re-elected twice since then, after making mental healthcare his signature issue in Washington.
“When I made missteps or suffered setbacks, you responded not with contempt, but compassion,” he said. “Thank you for all the times you lifted me up, pushed me forward.”
Kennedy was not specific about his plans, but said he would continue to fight for issues, including on behalf of those suffering from depression, addiction autism and post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Kennedy has made sure federal dollars are sent to his state.
Democratic Representative Jim Langevin, Rhode Island’s only other House member, had spoken with Kennedy and said he would miss him in Congress.
“Patrick is a true public servant and passionate fighter, who made a real difference for the people of our great state,” said Langevin, who served with Kennedy in the state House of Representatives.
Kennedy was elected to that position in 1988 at age 21, then was sent to the US House of Representatives in 1994. Kennedy, 42, has never married and friends have said his personal life had taken a back seat to his career.
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