Kennedy Senate dynasty reaches its end

(By Ed Morrissey, Hot Air) - A Kennedy has held one of the Senate seats from Massachussetts for more than 56 years, with the exception of two years when a family friend held it as a placeholder for Ted Kennedy from 1961-2. Many had hoped that Ted Kennedy’s widow or nephew would run for the seat, or perhaps the state legislature would allow Deval Patrick to appoint one of them instead — by overturning a law championed by Teddy himself stripping the governor of that power. That possibility came to an apparent end today as Joe Kennedy II declined to run for the office:

Former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, the eldest son of Robert F. Kennedy, announced Monday he would not run for the U.S. Senate seat held for nearly 50 years by his late uncle, Edward M. Kennedy. The decision was certain to widen the race for the Democratic nomination.

In a statement, the former six-term congressman said he cares about those seeking decent housing, fair wages and health care. But he added, “The best way for me to contribute to those causes is by continuing my work at Citizens Energy Corp.”