NEW YORK, Jan 22: Caroline Kennedy caught many political experts by surprise when she decided to drop out of contention to succeed Hillary Clinton as New York’s senator.

According to media reports, the daughter of former president John Kennedy called New York Governor David Paterson late on Wednesday afternoon to pull her name from the list of possible replacements.

Aides to the governor tried to persuade her to reconsider, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos told “Good Morning America.”

Ms Kennedy’s friends and relatives, however, denied the report and termed it a rumour.

But around midnight, she put out a statement ending her flirtation with the Senate “I informed Gov Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” she said.

Her decision came on the same day Hillary Clinton was confirmed as secretary of state, clearing the way for Mr Paterson to name her successor.

There are speculations that Ms Kennedy withdrew as a ‘face-saving measure’ after Mr Paterson informed her that he was going to choose someone else.