John Kerry Confirmed As Secretary of State

[UPDATED Tuesday, Jan. 29, 5:40 p.m.]

With only three dissenting votes, the U.S. Senate has confirmed John Kerry as the new Secretary of State.

Kerry will take over for Hillary Clinton, who is leaving her post after four years.

The move means Kerry will have to resign as a senator soon, paving the way for a special senate election. The primary election is scheduled for April 30 and the general election will be held on June 25. 

has announced he is running for the seat. has hinted that he may run. 

As for an interim senator for Kerry's seat, Gov. Deval Patrick plans to announce his pick on Wednesday, Jan. 30, according to the Boston Herald.

In an official statement distributed Tuesday afternoon, the governor congratulated Kerry on his new position.

“On behalf of the entire Commonwealth, I want to extend my congratulations to Senator Kerry on his confirmation as our nation’s next Secretary of State," Patrick said. "In particular, I want to thank Senator Kerry for his decades of service to the people of Massachusetts. From his days as Lieutenant Governor to his nearly 30 years in the United States Senate, he has been our steadfast champion. I know that he will bring the dedication, intelligence, and passion to his new role that he brought to representing Massachusetts. We are sad to lose him as our Senator, but excited about and grateful for his service to the Nation on the international stage.”