Sen. John Kerry walks past reporters after Tuesday's committee vote (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
The Senate on Tuesday easily confirmed one of its own -- Democrat John Kerry of Massachusetts -- to be the next secretary of state, ending a largely non-controversial process and kicking off what is expected to be a hotly contested special election for the seat Kerry has held since 1985.
The vote was 94-3 for Kerry at a time when bipartisanship is rarely on display in Washington. Just 3 Republicans voted against his nomination -- Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe.
Kerry voted "present" on his confirmation. He is set to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is stepping down after four years of service.
Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and the 2004 Democratic nominee for president, has served on the Foreign Relations Committee since his arrival in the Senate and has chaired the committee for the last 4 years.
Kerry began the hearing process with the backing of senators of both parties, many of whom came together Tuesday to publicly laud his service.
"Sen. Kerry is uniquely qualified to serve as the next secretary of state," Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said on the Senate floor prior to the vote, noting that Kerry's personal history as the son of a diplomat as well as his deep knowledge of international affairs as well as his relationships with diplomats.
Menendez is on tap to succeed Kerry as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Earlier Tuesday, that committee unanimously voted to send Kerry's nomination to the full Senate.
Kerry's departure from the Senate is expected to spark a major political fight for his vacant seat in Massachusetts.
Democratic Rep. Ed Markey has already announced his intention to seek Kerry's seat in the special election. Markey has won solid Democratic support from party leaders?and Kerry himself?for his campaign. The party has hoped to coalesce around Markey's candidacy in hopes of avoiding a bitter primary fight ahead of what's expected to be a competitive general special election.
But wide support from Markey may not be enough to keep interested Democrats out of the race. Fellow Rep. Stephen Lynch has long indicated interest in the seat but has yet to reveal his plans.
Lynch's spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday following Kerry's confirmation.
Democrats in Massachusetts scored a major victory in 2012 when Democrat Elizabeth Warren ousted Republican Sen. Scott Brown. That race was devoid of major outside spending as both candidates had agreed to a ban on third-party spending. Markey on Monday called on his potential challengers to agree to the same type of ban.
That is likely to happen if Brown enters the race, as Brown introduced the "People's Pledge" to ban outside spending in 2012 and has expressed interest in running for Kerry's seat.
Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin on Monday revealed plans to set the special election to choose Kerry's successor for June 25 after an April 30 primary.
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