A special election will be held in March to fill the vacant seat left by state Sen. Edward Kennedy , D-First Middlesex, who died earlier this month.

The State Senate adopted an order Monday morning to set the date of the election for March 3, according to a press release from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office. A primary election will be held on Feb. 3.

The winner of the election will represent the First Middlesex Senate District, which consists of the City of Lowell and the towns of Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsborough.

Kennedy had represented the district from 2019 until his death in October, 2025. He was 74 years old.

State Rep. Rodney Elliot, D-16th Middlesex, will run for Kennedy’s old seat, according to his website .

“This announcement comes with heartfelt

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