( CNN ) -- Caroline Kennedy , who was widely considered the front-runner for an appointment to replace Hillary Clinton as U.S. senator from New York , will remove herself from consideration for that post , according to three Democratic sources . Democratic sources said Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn her name from consideration for the Senate seat . Sources told CNN that , as of about 8 p.m. Wednesday , she had not yet informed New York Gov . David Paterson of her decision . And as the evening wore on , confusion still surrounded the situation -- sources telling CNN they were unsure of exactly where the decision stood . The 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy indicated her interest in filling the seat after Clinton was nominated to be U.S. secretary of state . Clinton was sworn in to her new position after being confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday . Since President Obama selected Clinton for the post , virtually all of the buzz about her replacement centered around Kennedy . But as the weeks dragged on , polling showed her popularity among New Yorkers dwindling . Kennedy 's decision to bow out comes a day after her uncle , Sen. Edward Kennedy , suffered a seizure at a luncheon after Obama 's inauguration . Doctors said the seizure was triggered by fatigue . Sen. Kennedy , 76 , was diagnosed with brain cancer last May . Paterson has the power to appoint the replacement for the vacated seat , who then faces a special election in 2010 to fill out Clinton 's term . Earlier this week Paterson said he was close , but had not yet picked Clinton 's replacement . Earlier in the week , Paterson said he may interview `` a candidate or two '' while in Washington for the inauguration . He added that he could settle on a choice `` by this weekend . '' Before this year , Caroline Kennedy 's forays into the public sphere were generally limited to nonpartisan activity , penning books on civil liberties and serving as the de facto guardian of her father 's legacy . `` I would be an unconventional choice -- I have n't followed a traditional path , but I think I bring a lifetime of experience to this , '' she told NY1 last month . The comment came during a media blitz after she had been criticized for remaining cloistered since her name was floated for the job . There are a slew of high-profile candidates for Clinton 's Senate seat , including New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo , whose last name carries some star power of its own in New York , where his father , Mario Cuomo , was once governor . A poll earlier this month showed slightly more New Yorkers would rather Cuomo be appointed than Kennedy .
Caroline Kennedy had spoken publicly about her desire for Clinton 's Senate seat . Rep . David Paterson is charged with appointing replacement until special election . Kennedy is the granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy .