Meanwhile, state Senator Stephen F. Lynch has announced he will not run for lieutenant governor as planned but instead will focus on a campaign for the 9th Congressional District seat. "Lynch announces he will run for [J. Joseph Moakley]'s seat," a headline read on Saturday.

Besides Kennedy and Lynch, the other Democrats said to be looking seriously at the race are state Senators Brian A. Joyce of Milton and Marc R. Pacheco of Taunton, and Boston City Councilor Stephen J. Murphy. One other rumored candidate, state Senator Marian Walsh of West Roxbury, has told Moakley she is not going to run, the Moakley aide said.

Max Kennedy and Stephen F. Lynch appear to be interested in the congressional seat held by J. Joseph Moakley.