Election to Replace Sen. Kerry Likely June 25

Obtained by ABC News

With Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's confirmation for Secretary of State proceeding at a smooth and quick pace, the question now becomes who will replace him and when? Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin gave an answer to that second question this week, saying that the special election would likely be set for June 25.

Although the race is less than five months away, the only individual who has formally declared their candidacy so far is Democratic Rep. Ed Markey of Malden, Mass. Another member of the Massachusetts Democratic delegation, Rep. Stephen Lynch of South Boston, is also mulling a run. Should Lynch decide to jump in, the two would face-off in a primary, likely scheduled on April 30.

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The big question though remains will former Republican senator Scott Brown enter the race? Reports from local sources indicate that Brown is actually leaning against trying to reclaim his Senate seat, which he left less than a month ago after losing his race to Democrat Elizabeth Warren in the fall. Instead, Brown is reportedly eyeing the governor's mansion in 2014 as his next political target. The seat will be open since Gov. Deval Patrick is term-limited.

In the period between Kerry's confirmation and the special election, Gov. Patrick is expected to announce an interim senator. That announcement could come as early as Wednesday, according to the Boston Globe. Candidates in the running include the widow of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, Vicki Kennedy, and former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank.