WASHINGTON (AFP)--President-elect Barack Obama resigned his Senate seat Sunday, after serving less than a single six-year term following his lightning-fast political ascent.
"Today, I am ending one journey to begin another. After serving the people of Illinois in the United States Senate - one of the highest honors and privileges of my life - I am stepping down as senator to prepare for the responsibilities I will assume as our nation's next president," Obama said in a statement in which he paid special tribute to constituents in his adopted state of Illinois.
"But I will never forget, and will forever be grateful, to the men and women of this great state who made my life in public service possible."
He added "With your help, along with the service and sacrifice of Americans across the nation who are hungry for change and ready to bring it about, I have faith that all will in fact be well. And it is with that faith, and the high hopes I have for the enduring power of the American idea, that I offer the people of my beloved home a very affectionate thanks."
Obama was elected to the Senate in 2004 and spent only two years in the Senate before hitting the presidential campaign trail, culminating in his historic election victory on November 4 over Republican John McCain.
It will now be up to the state's Democratic governor, Rod Blagojevich, to name a replacement for Obama.
One of the favorites is Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the U.S. civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. He has served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1995.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 16, 2008 15:49 ET (20:49 GMT)

Publié le 16 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones