BOSTON (AP) — GOP officials close to Scott Brown report that the former Republican senator is "leaning strongly toward running" in the special election to replace Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
They report that Brown is likely to enter the race early next week. The officials spoke Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to share internal discussions.
The only announced candidate so far is Democratic Congressman Ed Markey. Another Democrat, Congressman Stephen Lynch, is also expected to run.
First elected in 2010, Brown was defeated by Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren last fall, but remains popular and still has a statewide political organization.
Kerry was confirmed on Tuesday to become the nation's next secretary of state.
Meanwhile, Lynch says he's not worried about any fundraising edge Markey may have in the race.
Lynch is planning to tour the state Thursday with stops in Springfield, Worcester and Boston to tell voters about his plans for the special election.
Lynch won't explicitly say he's getting into the race, but on Tuesday the Boston Democrat also brushed aside criticism that he may be too conservative to win a Democratic primary in Massachusetts.
Lynch said all a candidate can do is offer leadership and explain what his views are and then let voters decide.
The general election is set for June 25.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
