Scott P. Brown has opted out of the Senate race in Massachusetts to fill the seat being vacated by John Kerry, according to a person close to him.
The decision leaves the Republicans without a candidate yet for the special election set for June 25, and it could leave the seat in Democratic hands.
Other potential Republican candidates have been waiting for a signal from Mr. Brown, who was seen as the strongest Republican, despite the loss of his Senate seat last year to ElizabethWarren.
Mr. Brown first alerted The Boston Herald, which was strongly supportive of him during his last campaign, that he was not running.
“U are the first to know,†Mr. Brown said in a text message to The Herald.
