BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Edward Markey says he'll run for John Kerry's U.S. Senate seat if Kerry is confirmed as the nation's new secretary of state.
Markey is a Democrat and is the dean of the state's congressional delegation. He's from Malden, just north of Boston. He announced his decision Thursday.
Markey says recent events including Superstorm Sandy, the Connecticut school shooting and the fiscal cliff debate have made it clear Massachusetts needs a senator with the "right priorities and values."
Kerry is expected to be confirmed by his fellow senators as secretary of state. The Democrat would have to leave the Senate.
The field of candidates in the special election for Kerry's seat likely would be crowded, especially among Democrats, who have no clear front-runner. Sen. Scott Brown would be the Republican favorite if he decided to run.
