Nation : Rep. Kennedy Won’t Run for Gov.

Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II has announced that he will not run for governor in the fall, taking a political “800-pound gorilla” out of the race.

The 37-year-old Democrat, who announced his plans in a letter dated Tuesday and sent to about 200 supporters, ended months of speculation by saying he will instead seek reelection to Congress in November.

“As many of you are aware, this is a particularly difficult time for my family that requires a great deal of personal attention,” Kennedy wrote. Kennedy, a son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, announced in March that he and his wife of eight years, Sheila, had separated. They have twin sons.

Recent polls indicated Kennedy was preferred over three Democrats expected to seek the nomination: Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy, former Atty. Gen. Francis X. Bellotti and state Rep. John H. Flood. Flood said Kennedy’s decision “eliminates another 800-pound gorilla. Any Kennedy with the name, with the financial resources and with the personality and charm they exude would have been tremendously strong.”