Reports: Republican Scott Brown Won't Seek Massachusetts Senate Seat

Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown reportedly will not seek the Republican nomination for Senate in a special election to replace Sen. John Kerry, the Democrat who on Friday was being sworn in as secretary of state.

The decision leaves Republicans scrambling for a viable candidate for a special election in June in the deep blue state.

The Boston Herald reported that Brown confirmed in a text message that he would not seek the office, despite some polls showing him leading the declared and likely Democratic candidates. The Washington Post cited a "Republican source" in confirming that Brown had decided not to run.

Brown, who won a 2010 special election for the seat of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, lost the seat in November to Democrat Elizabeth Warren.

Boston.com reported:

"Brown had long been considered the party's strongest and most likely candidate. The party may now turn to former governor William F. Weld or former lieutenant governor Kerry Healey."

"Beyond that, the list of credible candidates is thin. Weld has left open the possibility he would run, but associates say he is unlikely to leave his law and consulting practice to resume a political career."

The special election will be held June 25. On Wednesday, Gov. Deval Patrick named Boston lawyer and former aide William Cowan as Kerry's interim replacement, but Cowan has said he will not run in the special election.

Reps. Ed Markey and Stephen Lynch both have announced that they are seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat, which will be decided in an April 30 primary.

Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.