U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch Expected to Announce Senate Candidacy on Mass. Tour

BOSTON (AP) — Democratic Congressman Stephen Lynch is launching a tour of Massachusetts during which he's expected to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Kerry.

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Lynch plans to begin his tour Thursday in Springfield with a visit to O'Brien's Corner restaurant, followed by a stop at the Parkway Diner in Worcester.

Lynch will end the day with a rally at the Iron Workers Local 7 union hall in South Boston. Lynch is a former ironworker who became a union official before entering politics.

Fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has already announced plans to run.

The special election will be held on June 25 with a primary on April 30.

Republican officials close to Scott Brown said the former GOP senator is "leaning strongly" toward running.