It’s Official - Winslow is First Official Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate

It was a wild week, as the special election for John Kerry’s U.S. Senate seat continued to take shape. Though many Republican contenders were rumored to jump into the race, so far only three have officially announced their candidacies. 

Republican State Representative Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk) announced officially on Thursday that he is running for U.S. Senate. Earlier last week, Winslow said he was forming an exploratory committee for the U.S. Senate seat. Winslow represents the 9th Norfolk District, consisting of the towns of Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham, along with Precincts 3 and 4 in Medfield, Precinct 1 in Millis and Precinct 5 in Walpole.

Another Republican, former Nantucket selectman and county commissioner Douglas Bennett, said this week that he’s making a bid for the seat, as well.

North Shore Republican and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) told the State House News Service he is also considering a run. Tarr, who represents the 1st Essex and Middlesex District, which includes the towns of Gloucester, Boxford, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Middleton, Newbury, North Andover, Rockport, Rowley, Wenham, West Newbury and Wilmington, said he’ll make a decision by Monday.

And the Boston Globe reported former Navy Seal Gabriel Gomez, of Cohassett is also considering a run.

On Monday, Beverly Libertarian Daniel Fishman announced he would attempt to get on the ballot. Fishman garnered finishing third behind Congressman John Tierney and Republican candidate Richard Tisei.

This week we also saw several Republicans opt out of the race, including former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, former State Sen. Minority Leader Richard Tisei and Tagg Romney.

Two Democrats – Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) and Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) who represents Watertown – will face off in an April Primary and are off and running with their campaigning.

On Thursday, William “Mo” Cowan was sworn in as the interim senator and will serve until a new senator is elected in the June 25 special election.