Lynch will not run for Senate

By Andrea Estes and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

US Representative Stephen F. Lynch made the surprise announcement today that he will not run for the US Senate seat of the late Edward M. Kennedy.

Stephen F. Lynch

One of the key factors guiding Lynch's decision was that support from organized labor was not materializing, according to a senior adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Several key unions, including the Teamsters Local 25, are endorsing Attorney General Martha Coakley in the race, the adviser said.

In a brief statement released this afternoon, Lynch acknowledged that the," challenge of putting together the resources and organization necessary to wage a competitive statewide campaign in less than 90 days is insurmountable."

"After thorough consideration I have decided that I will not be a candidate for the Special U.S. Senate race to succeed Edward M. Kennedy," Lynch said in the statement.

The South Boston Democrat had planned to announce he was running in a series of stops around the state on Wednesday. He made his decision not to run on Monday night after thinking hard about what it would take to capture the seat, according to another adviser who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"He realized the parts weren't there to win," the second adviser said.

The only declared Democratic candidate remains Coakley. Another likely candidate, US Representative Michael Capuano, has hired a campaign manager in advance of an entry later this week.

Another surprise candidate may be the wealthy private equity investor Stephen G. Pagliuca, a co-owner of the Boston Celtics. The Globe reported today that Pagliuca has assembled a lineup of policy specialists, media advisers, and political organizers and is close to making a final decision to declare his candidacy, according to advisers familiar with his deliberations. That announcement could come within the next few days.