GOP Rep. Castle to seek Biden's old seat

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., said Tuesday he will seek the Senate seat once held by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

Castle ended months of speculation at the Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington, Del., WDEL radio in Wilmington said.

He said he was torn between making a Senate run or retiring from politics, but changed his mind after recent town hall meetings on healthcare reform.

Castle, a former two-term governor in his ninth term in Congress, had a mild stroke while campaigning for Congress three years ago, but said his doctors gave him a clean bill of health.

Castle could face a challenge from Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, the vice president's son, who reportedly has been contemplating a Senate bid while serving in Iraq during the past year, The Hill reported.

Sen. Ted Kaufman, D-Del., a former chief of staff in the vice president's Senate office, was appointed to complete the unexpired term and said he will not run for the seat.