Markey Gets Early Democratic Backing In Senate Bid

Just a day after announcing he plans to run for US Senate, Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey has picked up some key backing as he attempts to fend off would be Democratic challengers. WAMC”S Paul Tuthill reports.

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   Markey’s senate candidacy was endorsed Friday by  Vickie Kennedy, widow of Senator Edward Kennedy. In a statement, she called Markey the right person for the job and declared he would be a "superb Senator for Massachusetts".  Markey was also  praised by the man he hopes to succeed in the Senate, John Kerry, in a statement released by the Democratic Congessional Campaign Committee, praised Markey as “ gutsy and tough, smart and sharp, a workhorse in Congress”. Kerry has been nominated by President Obama to be Secretary of State. Markey, who is dean of the state’s congressional delegation, is the first Democrat to declare his candidacy in the special election to fill Kerry’s unexpired term. Soon to be former Senator Scott Brown is considered the likely Republican candidate.