Congressman Kennedy in R.I. won't run for Senate in 2000

Rep. Patrick Kennedy, newly named to the No. 5 Democratic leadership post in the House, said he will not challenge Republican Sen. John Chafee of Rhode Island in 2000.

"For someone who loves politics like I do and loves the House and wants to be part of making sure it comes back to Democratic hands, I couldn't ask for a greater honor," Kennedy, 31, said Thursday."I'm going to stay in the United States House of Representatives and run for re-election in 2000," he told The Associated Press in an interview.

Chafee's spokesman, Nicholas Graham, said Kennedy's announcement would have little bearing on the senator's own plans. Chafee, 76, has said he intends to run for a fifth, six-year term.

"The best response we could give is, `Happy Trails,' " Graham said.

Kennedy's decision was expected after his close ally, Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., appointed him earlier this week to head the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.