Not Trading On The Name

Former Congressman Joe Kennedy Jr. has decided not to run for his late uncle's Senate seat.

"Given all that my uncle accomplished, it was only natural to consider getting back involved in public office," said Kennedy on the website of the non-profit organization he founded, Citizens Energy.

"After much consideration, I have decided that the best way for me to contribute to those causes is by continuing my work at Citizens Energy Corporation."

Edward Kennedy held the Senate seat for almost five decades, giving the Boston-based family a major presence in Washington long after the assassinations of both president John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 as he campaigned for the White House.

That leaves the door open for other Bay State Dems, most notably Massachusetts AG Martha Coakley. We'll see if anyone else throws in.