Dates Set For Special Senate Election In Massachusetts
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — A date has been set for the special election to fill U.S. Sen. John Kerry's seat.
Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin says the election will be June 25, with a primary on April 30.
Galvin says he's confirmed the date with Gov. Deval Patrick, who by law officially sets the date.
Patrick said Monday he expects to announce a temporary interim senator on Wednesday.
Kerry is expected to be confirmed by the Senate as the nation's new Secretary of State Tuesday.
Galvin said Kerry will submit a letter of resignation Tuesday, effective Friday.
Candidates will have four weeks to collect the 10,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has already announced he will seek the seat.
Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is considering running on the Republican side.
Galvin told WBZ-TV many cities and towns also have local elections around the time of the April primary, so some communities could shift their elections to coincide with the special primary.
Galvin says the date could change, "but that is unlikely."
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