Peter Blute, a former Republican Congressman and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Port Authority announced on Thursday that he would not run against Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). This means that Kennedy will likely not face an opponent in 2006.

Peter Blute:

I would have enjoyed a race about the future of our country in a time of war, but in the final analysis, it came down to a family decision. This would have been a full-tilt, 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week race for the rest of the year and I would have missed too much time with my wife and kids.

Interesting To Note: If no one challenges Kennedy in 2006, this will be the first time in his 43-year Senate career that he will not face an opponent for re-election. 43-year Senate career…that’s a long freakin’ Senate career.