BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Republicans are scrambling to find a candidate for John Kerry’s Senate seat now that would-be GOP front-runner, former Sen. Scott Brown, has opted out of the campaign.

And with the clock already ticking down to the June 25 special election, there isn’t a lot of time to rally around a candidate.

Already two potential Senate hopefuls have publicly said they are considering a run.

Former state Sen. Richard Tisei, who narrowly lost a race last year in the 6th Congressional District against Democratic incumbent Rep. John Tierney, said in a statement Friday that he’s weighing his options.

Norfolk state Rep. Daniel Winslow also  said Friday he’s received calls and emails urging him to run.

Others who have been mentioned as possible candidates include former Gov. William Weld, former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez.

Whoever gets into the race will have to make up lost time to the two declared Democratic candidates — U.S. Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.