Beau Biden Will Not Run for His Father's Senate Seat, Another Blow for Democrats

Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden and the attorney general of Delaware, has told supporters that he will not run for his father's open Senate seat representing Delaware later this year. Biden's announcement is a huge blow to Democrats who had hoped Biden would run against popular Republican Rep. Mike Castle, who declared his candidacy for the Senate in October.

The younger Biden said that he will instead run for another term as attorney general. Without him in the race, Democrats face the prospect of losing the seat that Joe Biden occupied for 36 years. The seat is currently held by Democrat Ted Kaufman, Joe Biden's former chief of staff, who was appointed to the seat by Delaware's governor and has said he is not running for election.

Below is Beau Biden's e-mail to supporters:

"As many of you know, since returning home from Iraq, I have been giving serious consideration to running for the United States Senate. I have received strong encouragement both here in Delaware and all across the country to undertake this effort – and this outpouring of support has truly been humbling.

"I understand why people care so deeply about this election. The challenges we're facing as a country are extraordinarily difficult. The economy. Jobs. Health care. Energy. Education. Climate change. Financial regulation. Foreign policy. These are not only the issues of the moment – they're the issues that will determine our children's future. And as someone who has had the privilege of serving with the bravest men and women on this planet, I care deeply about how we treat our returning veterans and how we resolve our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I feel strongly about these issues. However, my first responsibilities are here in Delaware. I have a duty to fulfill as Attorney General – and the immediate need to focus on a case of great consequence. And that is what I must do. Therefore I cannot and will not run for the United States Senate in 2010. I will run for reelection as Attorney General.

"One of the primary reasons I ran for Attorney General was to protect the most vulnerable among us: children. As the father of two young children, I can think of no worse crime than those committed by child predators. It is why one of my first actions and top priorities as Attorney General was the creation of the Child Predator Task Force.

"The idea that any child can be a victim of abuse is horrific. The fact that it has engulfed an entire community is unspeakable. The pain and trauma suffered by the children, their parents, and the families, can't be measured. But justice can be done. And I am determined to see that it is.

"I have a job to finish. And that's what I must do."