Democrats Preparing Candidates In Case Kerry Moves To Cabinet

Democrats in Massachusetts are culling a list of candidates for a 2013 special election should Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) be appointed to President Obama’s cabinet.

Recently-defeated Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) is the most likely pick for the GOP, but Democrats don’t want a repeat of the 2010 special election — when they lost the late-Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat to Brown — and they’re looking to groom a strong contender to keep the position in their hands.

One of the most obvious candidates, Gov. Deval Patrick, has said he will stay behind the governor’s desk for his full term, which expires in 2014. And, retiring Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), one of most prominent lawmakers in the country, has also ruled out a bid.  
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