Langevin not to challenge R.I. Sen. Chafee

WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- Democratic Rep. James Langevin reportedly will not challenge Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island for his seat next year.

The Rhode Island congressman was expected to formally announce Wednesday he would not seek his party's nomination to challenge Chafee, a top re-election target of national Democratic leaders in 2006, Roll Call reported.

Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown has entered the race, but it was widely believed Langevin, a three-term congressman, would be the likely party nominee to take on Chafee in the Democratic-leaning state.

Rumors are now swirling Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., is thinking about throwing his hat into the ring.

Despite heavy courting from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Langevin raised intense criticism and threats of support for Brown from abortion rights activists because of his anti-abortion stance.

Chafee has a pro-choice stance on the issue.