Caroline Kennedy announced early today that she was withdrawing from consideration for the vacant US Senate seat in New York, startling the political world after weeks in which she was considered a top contender for the post.
Yesterday, Kennedy called Governor David A. Paterson, who will choose a successor to former Senator Hillary Clinton, to inform him that she was no longer interested in the post.
"I informed Gov. Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," Kennedy said in a statement released by her public relations firm.
A person told of her decision said that Kennedy's concerns about the health of her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, prompted her to withdraw. Senator Kennedy, who suffers from brain cancer, was hospitalized after suffering a seizure after the inauguration of Barack Obama Tuesday. He was released yesterday.
Caroline Kennedy believed that the job was hers if she would accept it, the person said, but aides to Paterson would not comment on whether that was true.
The news appeared to catch the governor off guard, throwing his administration into confusion and setting off conflicting news media reports.
Yesterday, Kennedy called Governor David A. Paterson, who will choose a successor to former Senator Hillary Clinton, to inform him that she was no longer interested in the post.
"I informed Gov. Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," Kennedy said in a statement released by her public relations firm.
A person told of her decision said that Kennedy's concerns about the health of her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, prompted her to withdraw. Senator Kennedy, who suffers from brain cancer, was hospitalized after suffering a seizure after the inauguration of Barack Obama Tuesday. He was released yesterday.
Caroline Kennedy believed that the job was hers if she would accept it, the person said, but aides to Paterson would not comment on whether that was true.
The news appeared to catch the governor off guard, throwing his administration into confusion and setting off conflicting news media reports.
After frantic talks between the governor's operation and Kennedy’s camp last night, Kennedy appeared to waver on whether to withdraw and was preparing a statement reasserting her interest in the job. But at about midnight, she decided to make clear she was taking her name out of consideration and released the statement saying so.
Kennedy's move comes nearly two months after she, along with several members of Congress and leading political officials, began lobbying the governor for the coveted Senate seat. She attracted relentless attention and was viewed by many as the most likely choice for Paterson, given her national stature and ties to the incoming Obama administration.
Kennedy had gained the support of some powerful backers in the state.
But her pursuit of the seat also set off resistance, with some local Democratic officials suggesting it smacked of entitlement.
Polls have showed voters preferring Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo for the position.
Paterson had planned to announce his selection on Friday or Saturday, but it was not clear how Kennedy’s move may affect the timing. The governor has been coy, and while he has praised Kennedy, he has also spoken approvingly of other candidates, including Cuomo and Representative Kirsten E. Gillibrand, who is beginning her second term in Congress from the Albany area.
Clinton resigned from the Senate yesterday, immediately after being sworn in as secretary of state. The governor has said that he would like to select a woman to succeed her, noting that if he were to choose a man, the number of female senators would drop to just 16.
Kennedy, 51, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has never served in public office. The Senate seat was held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, before his assassination.
Kennedy's move comes nearly two months after she, along with several members of Congress and leading political officials, began lobbying the governor for the coveted Senate seat. She attracted relentless attention and was viewed by many as the most likely choice for Paterson, given her national stature and ties to the incoming Obama administration.
Kennedy had gained the support of some powerful backers in the state.
But her pursuit of the seat also set off resistance, with some local Democratic officials suggesting it smacked of entitlement.
Polls have showed voters preferring Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo for the position.
Paterson had planned to announce his selection on Friday or Saturday, but it was not clear how Kennedy’s move may affect the timing. The governor has been coy, and while he has praised Kennedy, he has also spoken approvingly of other candidates, including Cuomo and Representative Kirsten E. Gillibrand, who is beginning her second term in Congress from the Albany area.
Clinton resigned from the Senate yesterday, immediately after being sworn in as secretary of state. The governor has said that he would like to select a woman to succeed her, noting that if he were to choose a man, the number of female senators would drop to just 16.
Kennedy, 51, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has never served in public office. The Senate seat was held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, before his assassination.
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