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Questions Swirl About Who Could Replace Senator Mikulski

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- With Senator Barbara Mikulski's announcement, now comes the race to succeed her as Maryland's next US Senator.

Derek Valcourt explains there's a long list of possible candidates.

So far, only one person---Congressman John Delaney---has stepped forward, saying he wants the job. Speculation is running rampant that others are considering running.

Senator Mikulski's surprise announcement now opens the door to a long list of current and former Maryland political leaders who might be interested in the US Senate seat.

Most obvious, former Governor Martin O'Malley. Fresh off eight years in Annapolis, he's been thinking long and hard about a run for president---but this opportunity may be one he's not willing to pass up. Officially, his spokewoman declined to talk about O'Malley's interest, saying the day should be about Mikulski, not speculation.

"This is an opportunity that is far more likely to yield success than his presidential run and I think it's probably an opportunity he's been for for some time," said Johns Hopkins political science professor Matthew Crenson.

Wealthy Maryland Congressman John Delaney took to Twitter to announce he'll explore a race for Senate. There's also rumblings of interest from other members of Maryland's Congressional caucus, including Chris Van Hollen, Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Jon Sarbanes and Donna Edwards.

"They have safe seats, most of them, right now, and if they run for the Senate, they have to give up their seats," Crenson said.

The opening might be an opportunity for former Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, who lost his bid to be lieutenant governor.

Anthony Brown and State Delegate Heather Mizeur lost their bids to be governor, but would they be willing to run again for a different state-wide office?

Some would like to see longtime Mikulski ally Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vie for the job, as well as current Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker.

On the Republican side, there's speculation that former Governor Bob Ehrlich might consider a run; also, there's Congressman Andy Harris, who represents the Eastern Shore and former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, who is currently considering a run for president.

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None of them have expressed interest in running, as of yet.

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