Ed Markey Not Running In Massachusetts Special Senate Election

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has just announced that he will not run in the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

"I believe that my leadership positions and seniority in the House allow me to accomplish more for my Congressional District and for Massachusetts," Markey said in a statement. "I have therefore decided not to become a candidate for the Senate."

State Attorney General Martha Coakley is officially in the race, and Reps. Stephen Lynch and Michael Capuano have taken out nomination papers and are expected to launch their campaigns. A recent poll gave Coakley a big lead. The Democratic primary will be held in three months, on December 8.