By Mary Whitfill, News Staff

Former Massachusetts governor and democratic nominee for president Michael Dukakis endorsed special election senate candidate Ed Markey, he told the News on Thursday.

“I like [Congressman Markey and state Rep. Stephen Lynch] both, I’ve known them both and I think they are good legislators, but I’m supporting Markey,” Dukakis said. “I want that seat filled by a first rate democrat.”

A representative of Mass. for over 30 years, Markey is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as three subcommittees, and the Committee on Natural Resources.

Markey will run against Lynch in the democratic primaries on April 30 to fill the senate seat left vacant by Secretary of State John Kerry, currently held by interim senator William Cowan. The election will be held on June 25.

“I know that Markey already has himself a first rate field coordinator and he is already got some terrific young people to go out there and start organizing a grassroots campaign,” Dukakis said. “That has to get underway right away, the primary is in late April so there isn’t time to loose.”

John F. Kerry has also formerly endorsed Markey as his replacement.