BOSTON (AP) — A businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL has officially launched his campaign for John Kerry's U.S. Senate seat.

Gabriel Gomez, a Republican from Cohasset, said in a statement Tuesday he has entered the race because he sees "a lot of unproductive noise and bickering" in Washington and thinks he can help fix problems.

Gomez is a newcomer to state politics.

Norfolk state Rep. Daniel Winslow became the first Republican to announce his candidacy last week.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch have already announced their candidacies. Marisa DeFranco, a Democrat who ran in last year's Senate race but failed to make the ballot, is also considering a run.

The primary is April 30. The special election is June 25.

Kerry left the Senate to become secretary of state.
Associated Press
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