Congressman Lynch Announces U.S. Senate Run on Facebook

While Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) isn’t expected to make a formal announcement until later Thursday afternoon, a new Stephen Lynch for Senate Facebook page popped up this morning with a link to a “Stephen Lynch for US Senate Announcement” YouTube video that announces Lynch’s Senate candidacy.

Earlier in the morning, the Stephen Lynch for Congress Facebook page had posted a message directing people to the newly created Senate page for news “on today’s plans and schedule.”

Lynch is expected to make an announcement at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon at the Ironworkers Local 7 Hall in South Boston.

The South Boston Democrat's congressional district includes Stoughton. Lynch has served in Congress since 2001.

Lynch would be the second Democrat running for the unexpired term left vacant by John Kerry’s confirmation to Secretary of State earlier this week.

Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) announced his intentions to run back in late December.

On the Republican side, while there is still speculation that former Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) is showing interest in the seat, there is still no official word if he will jump into the race.

Meanwhile, Governor Deval Patrick announced that his former chief of staff William “Mo” Cowan, 43, of Stoughton, will be the interim senator and will serve until a new senator is elected in the June 25 special election.

The primary election to fill Kerry's seat is set for April 30 and the special  election is June 25. Nomination papers will be made available through Secretary of State William Galvin’s office, giving candidates four weeks to collect the 10,000 signatures required to get on the April 30 primary ballot.

Kerry held the Senate seat for 28 years.