Ted Kennedy Jr. will not run for Connecticut governor

State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn his name, and all its dynastic history, from contention in the 2018 gubernatorial race.

In a statement Monday, the 55-year-old Democratic state senator, who represents Branford, North Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth and Madison, said he will “not be a candidate for statewide office in 2018.”

In April, Democratic Gov, Dannel P. Malloy announced he would not seek a third term. Before Malloy made his announcement, the Connecticut Post reported a source close to Kennedy rated the state senator’s chances of running as “90 percent.”

Connecticut Democratic Party chairman Nick Balletto praised Kennedy in a statement.

“Ted Kennedy has been a steadfast advocate for people with disabilities, the environment, and Connecticut’s economy. I am glad that he will continue his public service as a state senator,” he said.

J.R. Romano, the state GOP chairman, said he was “not surprised” by Kennedy’s announcement, contending Democrats are shying away from elections after two terms of Malloy.

“There’s a long list of Democrats who understand that taking on this challenge of fixing this mess they’ve created, they just want no part of it,” Romano said.

Romano said big Democratic names in Connecticut state politics, such as Kennedy, U.S. Reps. Joe Courtney, D-2, Elizabeth Esty, D-5, and Jim Himes, D-4. and Attorney General George Jepsen are taking a pass on 2018 “because they know.”

The candidates that have emerged, such as state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and former federal prosecutor Chris Mattei, are the “JV team,” Romano said.