Kennedy won't seek re-election

State Senator Fred Kennedy, (D - Dist. 22, Boise and Elmore counties) announced today that he would not seek re-election to the State Senate.

Serving his first term in the legislature, Kennedy said he thought he had reached the stage in life that it was important and necessary to be able to spend more time with his wife of over 45 years and his children and grandchildren.

"Patty and I have agonized over this decision for the past several weeks," Kennedy said. "Our two children and six of our eight grandchildren reside out of state, and we need to be able to spend more quality time with all of them."

Kennedy serves on the Resources and Environment, Agricultural Affairs and Health and Welfare Committees in the Senate.

Since his election to the Senate, he has also been serving on many interim committees and task forces, including the Legislative Council, the Joint Sales Tax Task Force, the Joint Millennium Fund Committee, and several Health & Welfare task forces.

He was widely regarded in the legislature as one of its hardest-working members.

"In order to perform my Senate responsibilities properly, the job has become more than full time, the year around," Kennedy continued. "There just isn't any time left to devote to my wife, children and grandchildren, who are so important to me, so I felt it necessary to adjust my priorities in life."

Kennedy said he hoped the people in Boise and Elmore Counties, including his many friends and supporters, do not feel that he has let them down by deciding not to seek re-election.

"I truly consider it to be an honor and a privilege to have been elected to serve the people of my district in the State Senate," Kennedy said. "I have worked hard to serve my constituents in the legislature, and hope I have been deserving of the trust they placed in me."

Kennedy said he will continue to perform his responsibilities and complete his term in this legislative session, which concludes on Nov. 30.

He said he was making the announcement early in order to give time for other candidates to come forward before the May primary election.