Tsongas Will Not Run For Senate; Kerry Supports Markey

U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas of Lowell does not plan to seek the Senate seat that John Kerry is expected to relinquish once he's confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.

The widow of U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas has been representing the 5th Congressional District since a special election in 2007.

She's the first woman from Massachusetts elected to Congress in 25 years.

Meantime, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, who said he would run earlier this week, has received the support of Kerry for his bid.

Kerry said in a statement that Markey is "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."