Frank backs Markey in Mass. Senate special

Former Rep. Barney Frank is supporting Rep. Ed Markey in the special election to replace Sen. John Kerry, according to the Boston radio station WBUR.

“He was a leader in gun control when we were in the legislature together in the 1970s,” Frank said of Markey. “And he has since that time been a very important leader, one of the national leaders, on the whole question of climate change.”

Frank said he was backing Markey over Rep. Michael   who’s also seriously considering running in the race, because “Capuano is probably not running.”     

Markey, who announced his intention to run in late December, has gotten the backing of the national Democratic establishment as well as key players in Massachusetts – including Kerry, Vicki Kennedy and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Other potential Democratic candidates in the race include Rep. Stephen Lynch and state Sen. Ben Downing.

In the meantime, if Kerry is confirmed as Secretary of State as expected, Gov. Deval Patrick will appoint a placeholder to the seat – a post Frank has said he’s very interested in filling.