Kennedy Jr. won't run for Senate in Mass.

BOSTON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Edward M. Kennedy Jr., son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, has ruled out a run for Massachusetts' U.S. Senate seat.

His decision, a source told the Boston Globe, was based on his reluctance to uproot his family, his discomfort with moving from Connecticut to Massachusetts to run and the urging of political leaders in Connecticut to eventually run for office in his home state, the newspaper said Monday.

The name of the younger Kennedy had been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for the Senate seat if Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is confirmed as secretary of state, the newspaper said.

Kennedy Jr., 51, is president of a financial firm and advocate for disability rights, and lives in Connecticut but also owns a home in Hyannisport, Mass.