News

Kerry appointment could open Mass. senate seat

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) Barack Obama's presidential victory could mean some political changes for Massachusetts.

If President Obama appoints Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State that would leave an opening that Gov. Patrick would have to appoint someone to fill. A special election would then have to be held.

Following his loss to Elizabeth Warren, Scott Brown could run for that job, but that would mean his third Senate campaign.

Former Governor Bill Wed, who just returned to Massachusetts to live, still denies he is considering a run.

Other contenders could include Newton Mayor Setti Warren, who abandoned plans for a Senate run in 2011 after Elizabeth Warren entered the race.

Congressman Mike Capuano has also expressed interest.

So what happens to Scott Brown if he doesn't run for Senate again? The governor says he is not running for another term so that could set a whole range of possibilities into motion for 2014.

Charlie Baker, the former Republican candidate for governor who ran against Deval Patrick during the last election, could make another run.

On the Democratic side, a whole host of possibilities that could include Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, Treasurer Steve Grossman, Auditor Suzanne Bump, former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, Mayor of Salem Kim Driscoll, and Attorney General Martha Coakley.

FOX 25's Sharman Sacchetti says the open gubernatorial seat could set another matchup of Coakley and Brown in 2014.