Scott Brown Senate Race Not Happening; Former Mass. Sen. Leads Polls But Won't Run for John Kerry's Senate Seat

A return to the U.S. Senate is out of the question for former Massachuetts Senator Scott Brown as he confirmed he will not seek reelection in a special election this year.

Last November, Brown lost to challenger Elizabeth Warren despite having positive approval numbers.

With fellow Mass. Sen. John Kerry accepting the secretary of state role, he vacates his senate seat and a special election is set for June.

Between now and June, an interim senator has been named by Mass. Gov. Devall Patrick. He named William "Mo" Cowan.

"Mo's service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government," said Gov. Patrick on Jan. 30. "The people of the Commonwealth have benefited from his wisdom and good judgment during his time in our office, and will again in the Senate."

Cowan, however, will not seek the senate seat full time once June's special election starts.

Speculation started that Brown would run, but he was confirmed he will not.

"Over these past few weeks I have given serious thought about the possibility of running again, as events have created another vacancy requiring another special election," stated Brown in a prepared statement. "I have received a lot of encouragement from friends and supporters to become a candidate, and my competitive instincts were leading in the same direction."

In the end, Brown added, "That is why I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in the upcoming special election."

Brown's decision to not run comes as polls such as MassINC and Public Policy Polling had him leading ahead likely Democratic challengers.

The first PPP survey showed Brown leading Ed Markey with 48 percent to 45 percent among the 763 registered voters participating. The same number of registered voters showed Brown performing better against Stephen Lynch, maintaining the 48 percent to Lynch's 39 percent.

MassINC has Brown in double digit territory, leading with 53 percent to Markey's 31 percent and 51 percent to Lynch's 24 percent. The MassINC poll registered 435 and 500 registered voters, respectively.