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Democrat Markey Launches Senate Campaign

Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., gestures to supporters during the kickoff to the start of his campaign for Senate in Malden, Mass., Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (Josh Reynolds/AP)
Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., gestures to supporters during the kickoff to the start of his campaign for Senate in Malden, Mass., Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (Josh Reynolds/AP)

Democratic Congressman Edward Markey is vowing to fight calls to cut Medicare and Medicaid to balance the federal budget, seeking support of Massachusetts seniors and low-income residents as he formally kicked off his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by newly sworn-in Secretary of State John Kerry.

Markey launched his campaign tour with a rally Saturday in his hometown of Malden, to be followed by stops in Worcester and Springfield.

Markey, dean of the state's congressional delegation, highlighted his support for women's reproductive rights, gun control and efforts to protect the environment.

That appeared to be intended to highlight difference with fellow Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch who has also announced his candidacy.

Massachusetts Republicans are scrambling to find their own candidate after former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown opted out of the race Friday.

This article was originally published on February 02, 2013.

This program aired on February 2, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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