BOSTON (CBS) – If John Kerry leaves the U.S. Senate to become Secretary of State, former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis might be the person to fill the seat until a special election is held.

According to a report Monday in The Hill, Dukakis is “considered a likely interim replacement” if Gov. Deval Patrick has to appoint someone. However, he told WBZ’s Jon Keller on Monday that he would not be a candidate.

Dukakis is 79 years old. He was the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee and he currently teaches at Northeastern University.

Vicki Kennedy, the widow of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, has also been mentioned as possible interim replacement.

In 2010, Patrick picked Paul Kirk to fill Kennedy’s seat temporarily.