ALBANY, N.Y. " A person who worked closely with Caroline Kennedy on her bid for the Senate says a pressing personal matter unrelated to her uncle's health prompted her to tell the governor she was withdrawing from consideration.
The person said Gov. David Paterson had not yet offered her the job, but Kennedy knew she was being seriously considered.
The person said Kennedy's decision to bow out was not related to her uncle, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who suffered a seizure during an inaugural luncheon Tuesday. The 76-year-old senator was diagnosed in May with an aggressive type of brain tumor.
Caroline Kennedy is the 51-year-old daughter of President John Kennedy. She was considered a front-runner to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate.