BEVERLY — Former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey has decided not to run for the Senate seat vacated by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
Healey, 48, a Beverly resident, was rumored as a possible Republican candidate for the seat. She cited family reasons for deciding against the race.
"Our country faces many challenges, and I know firsthand there is no greater honor than serving the people of Massachusetts," Healey said in a statement released yesterday. "After careful consideration, however, I have decided that a campaign would not be in the best interest of my family at this time."
Healey and her husband, Sean, who is president and CEO of Affiliated Managers Group in Prides Crossing, have two teenage children. She did not return a call seeking comment.
Healey served as the state's number-two executive from 2003 to 2007 as running mate to former Gov. Mitt Romney, and lost to Deval Patrick in the race for governor in 2006.
Most recently, she worked in a joint effort between the State Department and American legal community to train future leaders of Afghanistan's justice system about the rule of law and democracy.
Her departure from the race opens the GOP field to state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, who is strongly considering a campaign. Former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card are also said to be weighing candidacies.
On the Democratic side, Attorney General Martha Coakley has already declared her candidacy and Congressman Stephen Lynch has taken out nomination papers.
Congressmen Michael Capuano and Edward J. Markey, as well as former Congressman Martin Meehan, are also considering races.
Political heavyweight and odds-on favorite, former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II, yesterday announced he would not be seeking the office left vacant by his late uncle, who died of brain cancer last month.
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, a registered independent and political conservative, has said he is considering a campaign, but also pegged the prospect of one at "slim to none."
The primary to succeed the senator is scheduled for Dec. 8. The special election will be Jan. 19.
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