Joe Kennedy opts out of Senate race

Joseph Kennedy will not run for Senate - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Joseph P. Kennedy II announced today that he will not seek the Senate seat
held by his uncle, a move likely to end the Kennedy family's half century of
political dominance in Massachusetts and entice several other candidates to jump
into the race.

Kennedy's decision not to run opens the door for several candidates who had
been hesitant to run against a Kennedy for the state's first open Senate seat in
25 years. Several other Democrats may now join the race, including U.S.
Representatives Michael Capuano and John Tierney and former U.S. Representative
Martin Meehan.

The lone Democrat to officially launch her candidacy is state Attorney
General Martha Coakley. US Representative Stephen Lynch, also a Democrat, has
taken out nomination papers, but has said he must weigh family matters before
deciding whether to run.

On the Republican side, Canton Selectman Bob Burr is the only candidate
to officially enter the race. State representative Scott Brown, a Republican
from Wrentham, is also weighing a run. Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling,
who is an independent but has campaigned for Republican President George W. Bush
and Senator John McCain of Arizona, has also expressed interest. Republican
Kerry Healey, the former lieutenant governor, said
on Sunday night that she would not run.

Kennedy's decision leaves the field wide open