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Meehan Says No To Bid To Succeed Kennedy

University of Massachusetts - Lowell Chancellor Martin Meehan says he will not run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Edward Kennedy.

The former congressman announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday. Meehan, a Lowell Democrat, said he did not want to "walk away" from the university that he loves.

He said he made the decision after careful thought and discussions with his family and supporters.

Meehan said he would not rule out the possibility of returning to politics in the future. He became the university's chancellor in 2007 after nearly 15 years in the U.S. House.

Current U.S. Reps. Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch have drawn nomination papers for the special election to succeed Kennedy. Attorney General Martha Coakley was the first declared Democratic candidate.

This program aired on September 8, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

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