Stephen Lynch Walks Back Report He Will Run In Massachusetts Senate Special Election [UPDATE]

UPDATE: 1:40 p.m. -- Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) dismissed the Boston Globe report that he was planning to run for Senate in Massachusetts in a subsequent interview with the paper, saying that he hadn't made up his mind yet.

PREVIOUSLY: Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) is planning to run in the anticipated special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, setting up a primary contest against fellow Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), according to the Boston Globe.

The Globe reports that Lynch plans to make an announcement next week, after Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) expected confirmation as secretary of State. The election would likely occur in early summer, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has indicated that in the meantime he will appoint to the seat a placeholder who will not run in the election.

Lynch is entering the race in spite of Markey's effort to clear the field with his large war chest of $3.1 million and endorsements from state Democratic officials, including Kerry himself and Vicki Kennedy, the widow of former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.).

Lynch, a South Boston native, is more conservative than Markey and most Massachusetts Democrats, having voted against the Affordable Care Act and opposing abortion rights.

Nevertheless, the Globe reports that he was encouraged by a poll that shows him performing better than Markey against former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), who has generally kept a low profile since leaving the Senate in defeat in January. Brown has not indicated whether he intends to run in any special election.

A Markey representative did not respond to The Huffington Post's request for comment.