Stephen Lynch meets with voters in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Boston Congressman Stephen Lynch is getting to know voters here in western Massachusetts, ahead of a formal announcement that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Lynch made a stop Thursday morning at O’Brien’s Corner on Page Boulevard to greet voters.

The former union leader hopes that his working-class background will be his ticket to the Senate. Lynch told 22News that he will be a “fresh voice in the exclusive club of the Senate.”

"I actually strapped on a pair of work boots for about eighteen years as an ironworker. I think I know the experience a lot of people are going through right now. I know what It's like to stand in an unemployment line here and struggle," Lynch said.

A five-term Democrat from South Boston, Lynch has yet to make an official announcement, but that is expected later in the day before a crowd of union ironworkers in his home district.

He already faces competition in the Democratic Senate primary by fellow Congressman Edward Markey of Malden, who has picked up the support of several prominent Massachusetts Democrats. Lynch said that he expects there will only be two candidates on the primary ballot in April.

At this time, there are no declared Republican candidates for the seat long held by Secretary of State-designate John Kerry, but former Senator Scott Brown is said to be seriously considering a run.