As speculation swirls about an impending announcement this week from State Representative Vanna Howard about a State Senate campaign to replace Ed Kennedy, a candidate is already taking steps to explore a run for her seat.

InsideLowell has learned that Lowell City Councilor Corey Belanger is strongly weighing a campaign for the 17th Middlesex State Representative seat Howard has held since 2021. Belanger, who came up short in his council re-election bid in the city’s September 9 Preliminary election, is a resident of Lowell’s Belvidere neighborhood and a registered Democrat.

Belanger did not respond to our requests for comment, but multiple sources confirmed he has been making calls in recent days to gauge potential support for a campaign. Asked if a candidacy is dependent on Howard winning election to the State Senate and her House seat being vacant, one of those sources says “he’s considering it with or without Howard in the race.”

Meanwhile, buzz in local political circles is that Howard throwing her had into the senate race is imminent, perhaps as early as today.

When contacted by InsideLowell Monday, Howard said her decision would be announced “very soon.”

“In the last few days, many friends, supporters and colleagues have reached out encouraging me to run for State Senate,” Howard wrote via text. “Senator Kennedy served Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsborough with dedication and heart, and whoever follows him has big shoes to fill. I’ll be taking some time with my family in the days ahead to consider this important decision.”

Last Friday, State Representative Rodney Elliott announced his candidacy for the 1st Middlesex Senate District.

Elliott also has a declared challenger for his 16th Middlesex House seat, in North Chelmsford resident Lorena Betts. Betts’ announcement came in late September, prior to Kennedy’s passing and the State Senate vacancy.