Dee DeQuattro
ddequattro@abc6.com
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry has been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to take over the reigns from Hilary Clinton as President Barack Obama's Secretary of State.
The five-term Senator gained unanimous approval from the panel by a voice vote on Tuesday.
Kerry served as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair for the past four years and has sat on the committee for 28 years.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will now appoint a temporary replacement for Kerry until an interim election can be held June 25. The replacement will be officially announced on Wednesday.
Democratic Congressman Ed Markey has already announced his intentions to run for the seat. Congressman Stephen Lynch, a Democrat, is considered a possible primary opponent for Markey.
On the Republican side Scott Brown is expected to announce his candidacy but he has yet to announce his intentions.
