by Christian Knapp ’14

Recently re-elected President Barack Obama is considering Massachusetts Senator John Kerry for the position of Secretary of State. Current Secretery Hillary Clinton announced in March of last year that she wished to retire, even if President Obama was re-elected.

Kerry, a former Democratic Presidential nominee, is thought to be among the top choices for the job. Because the Democrats hold a solid 2 seat majority in the Senate, the party would not be at risk of losing their lead in the Senate if Kerry is appointed secretary.

Kerry’s possible appointment has lead to speculation as to what happens to his Senate seat if he becomes secretary. Although most states allow the governor to appoint someone to fill the vacant seat, Massachusetts requires a special election to be held in order to fill a vacant Senate seat.

When Republican Mitt Romney was governor in 2004, Democratic state legislatures were afraid he would appoint a fellow Republican to the position if Senator and then-nominee Kerry won the presidential election. Instead the Massachusetts Legislature approved a measure requiring a special election to be held in place of an appointment.

Interestingly, the Democrats’ attempt to prevent the appointment of a Republican senator may have created an opportunity for the election of one. After Republican Senator Scott Brown lost his re-election to Democrat Elizabeth Warren, media organizations have conjectured that Brown will run for public office in the future.

Senator Brown enjoyed a 57 percent favorability rating, according to a Western New England University poll released only 2 days before the election. He would be likely to run in the special election if Senator Kerry’s seat opens up. Due to Massachusetts’s lack of many experienced Republican politicians and Senator Brown’s established prominence among Bay State Republicans, it is probable he will not have a primary challenger for the party ticket.

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray is among several Democrats who would be likely to run if a special election were held. If Murray were to run, it would be difficult for other Democrats to challenge him due to Murray’s name recognition with voters. Several state senators have also expressed interest in the seat if the opportunity arises. Few clear favorites appear for the Democratic candidate, so the primary would likely be an uphill battle for nomination, perhaps allowing Brown to regain a Senate seat, albeit a different one than before.