Patrick Kennedy to Retire?

Only a few months after his father passed away and a few weeks since a Republican was elected to take his father's seat in the Senate, it looks like Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) will be stepping back from the political spotlight.

The New York Times reported the following:

Representative Patrick Kennedy, the son of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, has told Democratic leaders that he will not seek re-election this year, a party official said Thursday evening.

Mr. Kennedy’s decision, which came six months after his father died, was expected to be formally announced Friday. It would mark the first time in a half-century that a Kennedy would not be serving in Congress.