John Kerry Praises Rep. Markey’s Senate Bid,Kennedy: ‘Markey Is The Best Person’,

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Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) on Friday released a statement in which he offered effusive praise of Rep. Ed Markey's (D-MA) senate bid. Markey on Thursday announced his candidacy to fill the seat expected to be vacated by Kerry, who has been nominated to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The statement:

"While I began last week to formally step out of politics and it's very important that I respect the apolitical nature of the post I hope to soon occupy, as Massachusetts' senior senator today and as a colleague of Ed Markey's for 28 years, I'm excited to learn of and support his decision to run for the United States Senate. Ed's one of the most experienced and capable legislators in the entire Congress and it would be an almost unprecedented occasion for such an accomplished legislator to join the Senate able to hit the ground running on every issue of importance to Massachusetts. Ed's someone who authored and passed a visionary energy bill to deal with climate change; he's one of Congress' foremost experts on the Internet, telecommunications and new energy economies; he was a leader on nuclear weapons issues; and he's the House's leading, ardent, and thoughtful protector of the environment. Ed's upbringing in Malden and his service as the Dean of our delegation means he knows in his heart and in his head just what is important to every corner of our state. He's passionate about the issues that Ted Kennedy and I worked on as a team for decades, whether it's health care or the environment and energy or education. He's gutsy and tough, smart and sharp, a workhorse in Congress who has never forgotten where he came from or who sent him to Washington."


http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/john-kerry-praises-rep-markeys-senate-bid

Kennedy: ‘Markey Is The Best Person’ To Fill Kerry’s Seat
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/kennedy-markey-is-best-person-to-fill-kerrys

Victoria Kennedy, the widow of late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), endorsed Rep. Edward Markey's bid to replace Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who was nominated to be the next secretary of state, in a statement released Friday.

"As we look to the future, I believe that Congressman Ed Markey is the best person to continue in the tradition of John Kerry to serve our Commonwealth in the United States Senate," Kennedy said in the statement. "Ed is the dean of the Massachusetts delegation and has been an exceptional Congressman for his District. He’s respected nationally for his energetic leadership on issues relating to the environment, energy and technology. He has the experience and expertise to address the pressing economic issues facing our nation. He knows how to get things done. He will bring proven experience in the workings of Congress to his service in the Senate, and that is an enormous asset and benefit for the people of Massachusetts. Ed Markey is the right person for the job. He will be a superb Senator for Massachusetts.”

DSCC: Markey ‘The Kind Of Leader Massachusetts Needs’
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/dscc-markey-kind-of-leader-massachusetts-needs

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, followed Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) lead on Friday, releasing a statement to offer support to the announced senate bid of Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA).

The statement:

“Ed Markey has spent his career fighting for the people of Massachusetts. He has been a leader on some of the most important issues of our time and has repeatedly taken on the special interests in Washington. At a time when the country needs real leadership that looks out for the middle class, Ed Markey always remembers where he came from and will continue the hard work needed to turn our economy around. He is exactly the kind of leader Massachusetts needs in the US Senate.”