Out of respect for the passing of Ed Kennedy, speculation about who would mount a campaign to succeed him on Beacon Hill has remained at a minimum…at least publicly.

Behind the scenes, however, the maneuvering is already underway and has been for the better part of 2025, as rumors swirled that the 1st Middlesex Senator was not going to seek re-election in 2026. And while only a few of those rumored to have interest would even return calls attempting to gauge their interest, supporters of several others spoke off the record with InsideLowell about the potential candidates’ thought process.

The two names most prominently mentioned are 16th Middlesex State Representative, Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell), and 17th Middlesex State Representative, Vanna Howard (D-Lowell).

Elliott and Howard have name recognition, and perhaps most importantly with what could be an abbreviated special election window, a hefty bank account with which to launch their campaigns.

Recent filings with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) show Howard with nearly $94,000 at her disposal. The third-term House member had about $75,500 on hand as of September 30, with an additional $18,480 deposited in the days following a fundraiser which, ironically enough, was held just two nights before Kennedy’s passing.

Elliott’s OCPF page shows him with $82,835 in the bank, an impressive total amassed in only his second term on Beacon Hill.

The other benefit a special election provides the sitting state reps is that neither has to give up their seat to make the Senate run, which they would have to do if they ran during the normal election cycle in 2026.

Elliott, a resident of Lowell’s Pawtucketville neighborhood, was one of the the rumored candidates to respond to our inquiries, leaving no doubt what his intentions are.

“Out of deference to the Kennedy family I will hold off on the formal announcement on my intention to run for the seat to a later date,” Elliott wrote in a text.

For her part, Howard did not reply, but people familiar with her thinking say she has tremendous respect for Senator Kennedy and the job he did serving the district. They believe she would be a natural successor and expect her decision, one way or the other, to be made public very soon.

The other name bandied about most often is that of former State Representative, Dave Nangle, the man Howard defeated in the 2020 Democratic primary in the midst of his legal troubles.

In 2024, he told InsideLowell he came very close to challenging Howard for his old seat, before ultimately deciding in April of that year the timing wasn’t right.

He left the door wide open for a future run, however, and sources close to Nangle pointed to 2026 and the potential of the Senate slot as a better fit, believing his more centrist politics would serve him well in the surrounding towns of Dracut and Tyngsboro.

Nangle did not return our messages, but the the buzz is he will make some sort of announcement after the Senate issues a writ of election, kicking off the special election process. It’s anticipated that will happen in the coming week.

The name of Lowell City Councilor Erik Gitschier has also come up often in political circles, including a recent Sunday Notes Column by Gerry Nutter.

Gitschier was the top vote-getter in Lowell’s 2023 council election and is seeking re-election this November. His home base of Lowell’s Upper Highlands neighborhood would provide a solid starting point for a run, though at the moment, he’s leaving speculation on his plans up to others.

“I’m 100% focused on my reelection campaign right now,” Gitschier wrote via text. “It’s still hard to believe Senator Kennedy is gone. He was instrumental in getting things done in the city of Lowell. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

John Drinkwater is yet another potential entrant mentioned by political pundits who believe he would be a formidable candidate.

The Belvidere resident, who served on the Lowell City Council from 2020-2023, ran for the 1st Middlesex Senate seat in 2018, finishing a close second to Kennedy in that highly competitive Democratic primary, which also saw Elliott closely behind in third place.

The Director of Government Affairs at Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 received strong union support in his previous bids for office, and could potentially raise money quickly, a necessity for what promises to be a competitive and expensive race.

Drinkwater did not respond to our requests for comment, but people familiar with his thinking say he’s weighing another bite at the State Senate apple, though the demands of his job and a young family very active in local sports make it a tough decision.

Another former Lowell City Councilor is considering diving back into the political waters.

John Leahy, whose father Dan represented the Mill City in the State Senate from 1994-1998, tells us he’s “looking at it.” The resident of Lowell’s Belvidere neighborhood is cousins with Dave Nangle, which could create an interesting dynamic should both opt to run.

Leahy served the city for 21-years, first on the school committee and then the council, before stepping away in July of 2024 to accept a job with the Lowell Public Schools.

A name tossed around during a political fundraiser Thursday night was that of Lowell Mayor Danny Rourke. Rourke quicky shot down that speculation, saying “no chance I run” when asked for comment Friday afternoon.

To date, no candidate names have publicly emerged from the district’s other towns of Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsborough. Ditto for any Republicans, though it’s very likely someone from the GOP side of the aisle will take a shot at a rare open seat.

One other name to watch; Kennedy aide James Ostis.

The Centralville resident has served as Legislative Director in Kennedy’s office since September of 2019, after previously working for State Rep Colleen Gary (D-Dracut) from 2006-2012. He also served as Assistant to the Mayor for both Kennedy and Bill Samaras at Lowell City Hall.

In the past, Ostis has kicked around the idea of stepping out from the behind the scenes policy side of the legislature and serving in elected office. Numerous local legislators through the years have served under a previous office holder at one time or another, and depending on who else enters the fray, he might become the latest to attempt the jump.

After the Senate initiates the special election process, it will be Secretary of State Bill Galvin setting the calendar, including deadlines for candidates to declare and gather signatures.

Depending on who you talk to, the primary could take place as soon as December or January. Others, however, point to the special election held in 2023 to fill the seat vacated by Anne Gobi and predict a lengthier timetable that could stretch into February and March.

Gobi stepped down to join Governor Maura Healey’s administration in early June of that year, but primaries weren’t held until October 10, more than four months later. The general election, won by Republican Peter Durant, was held on November 8.

Whenever the election is held, it will draw considerable interest both locally and statewide. Be sure to stay with InsideLowell for all the latest developments.