WASHINGTON (AP) – Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., on Wednesday ruled out a run for the Senate in 2006, saying he could better serve his constituents by staying in the House and serving on the Appropriations Committee.

Kennedy has been in Boston caring for his mother, Joan Kennedy.

“I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received to run for the Senate,” he said. “But over the past few days, I have determined that I can make the greatest difference in the lives of Rhode Island families by remaining on the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives and fighting for their priorities.” The committee controls about a third of the nearly $2.6 trillion federal budget.

He had been encouraged to run for the Senate, against Republican incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee, after Rhode Island’s other Democratic Congressman, Jim Langevin, decided not to seek the Senate seat.

Kennedy, who is in his sixth term, said he was humbled by the pressure to run, but ultimately decided he should stay on the powerful Appropriations panel, where he has been able to secure funding for state projects. He also said he wants to continue his work on health issues, including mental health programs.

Edward Kennedy said he respected his son’s decision, adding, “He’s right to put personal considerations aside and do what he feels is best for the people of Rhode Island.”

, whom he cares about so much and serves so well.”

Bill Lynch, the state’s Democratic Party chairman, said he thought it was the right decision because the state could suffer if it no longer had a representative on the Appropriations Committee. But he said he thought Kennedy would have easily beat Chafee.

“I have mixed feelings about it,” he said. “What is clear is that there’s consensus in the Rhode Island community that Sen. Chafee is very vulnerable. That much doesn’t seem to be in dispute.”

Another Democrat who has been mulling a run is Sheldon Whitehouse, the former state Attorney General.

Whitehouse said Wednesday that he wait until next week to make any announcements about his plans.

“I thank Congressman Kennedy for his kind words of encouragement today regarding my candidacy,” Whitehouse said. “For personal reasons, I will defer making any public announcements regarding the 2006 campaign until Monday morning.”

Lynch said he spoke with Whitehouse earlier this week and his sense is that Whitehouse will run.

The only declared candidate for the race is Secretary of State Matt Brown, who Langevin last week said didn’t have enough experience to work in the Senate. Lynch said he didn’t share that view.

Brown said he would not speculate on whether the state Democratic Party will back his candidacy or search for another candidate now that Kennedy is out of the running.

“We’re just continuing to reach out to everybody of all backgrounds in every community around the state,” he said.

AP-ES-03-30-05 1821EST