In December 2008 , Kennedy expressed interest in the United States Senate seat occupied by Hillary Clinton , who had been selected to become Secretary of State . This seat was to be filled through 2010 by appointment of New York Governor David Paterson . This same seat was held by Kennedy 's uncle Robert F. Kennedy from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968 , when he was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination . Kennedy 's appointment was supported by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter , State Assemblyman Vito Lopez , New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , former New York City Mayor Ed Koch , and the '' New York Post '' editorial page
assassination
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy