Massachusetts Rep. Edward J. Markey on Thursday became the first prominent Democrat to announce his intention to run in the expected special election to replace Democrat John Kerry, who was nominated last week to be the next Secretary of State.

The Boston Globe first reported that Markey will seek the seat but not the temporary appointment by Gov. Deval Patrick, who is likely to select a caretaker until a special election can be held.

“With Senator Kerry’s departure, Massachusetts voters will decide once again whether we want a Senator who will fight for all our families or one who supports a Republican agenda that benefits only the powerful and well-connected,” Markey said in a statement. He already has a Senate campaign website up.

Other Massachusetts Democrats have also expressed interest in the race, including Reps. Michael E. Capuano and Stephen F. Lynch. On the Republican side, outgoing Sen. Scott P. Brown, who just lost his seat to Democratic Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren, is considered the leading contender to run for the seat. Brown has not yet signaled if he will run in the special election. He could alternatively decide to run for governor in 2014.

The not-yet-open seat has drawn wide interest and speculation about potential candidates. Earlier this week, actor Ben Affleck and Edward M. Kennedy Jr., the son of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, took their names out of contention.