
Potential candidates for Senate in Mass.

Senator John F. Kerry has been nominated to be the next US secretary of state. There are many potential candidates who could run for his Senate seat.
Andrew Innerarity/REUTERS
| November 14, 2012

Governor Deval Patrick is required to appoint an interim senator until a special election is held to fill the post between 145 and 160 days after the vacancy.
Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe
| November 14, 2012

A Senate vacancy would probably create a comeback scenario for Senator Scott Brown, the Republican who lost the seat to Democrat Elizabeth Warren in last week’s election.
Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
| November 14, 2012

US Representative Edward J. Markey of Malden has officially thrown his hat in the ring for the Senate seat.
Kris Connor/Getty Images
| November 14, 2012

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has not ruled out a run, but insiders said she would not be a Democratic favorite after her poor performance in losing to Brown in the 2010 special election.
Matthew Cavanaugh For The Boston Globe
| November 14, 2012

US Representative Michael E. Capuano of Somerville, who ran second to Martha Coakley in the 2009 Senate primary, has expressed interest in running.
Harry Hamburg/Associated Press/2009
| November 14, 2012

US Representative Stephen F. Lynch of South Boston has also expressed interest.
Globe File/2010
| November 14, 2012

US Attorney Carmen Ortiz, who has gained the attention of the political world by prosecuting former speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, despite her lack of electoral experience.
Globe File
| November 14, 2012

Alan Khazei, who twice ran unsuccessfully for Senate, said he "wouldn’t rule anything out."
Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Associated Press
| November 14, 2012

On the Republican side, former governor William F. Weld could try to win the seat, but those close to Weld say he would defer to Brown.
John Tlumacki /Globe Staff
| November 14, 2012

Richard Tisei, who narrowly lost a challenge to US Representative John F. Tierney, could also run.
John Blanding/Globe Staff
| November 14, 2012

Kerry Healey, former lieutenant governor, could be another Republican candidate.
Associated Press/File/2005
| November 14, 2012