Rep. Joe Kennedy Joseph (Joe) Patrick KennedyDemocrats see fundraising spike following Ginsburg death Massachusetts town clerk resigns after delays to primary vote count Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration MORE (D-Mass.) reportedly commissioned a survey to see how well he would fare in a primary challenge against Sen. Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeyA game theorist's advice to President Trump on filling the Supreme Court seat Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Mass.) for Markey's Senate seat as the lawmaker considers a bid against the senior senator.

Kennedy, 38, paid for a survey last month that tested his strength in a head-to-head matchup against Markey, The New York Times reported Saturday, while a senior Democratic official confirmed that Kennedy was weighing a primary challenge.

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Markey, 76, is a progressive stalwart in the state and this year made headlines by joining with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (D-N.Y.) to introduce the Green New Deal, an ambitious plan to battle climate change and transition the nation's economy off fossil fuels.

The Times reported that Kennedy is set to make a decision in the coming weeks. A senior adviser to Markey scorched the congressman when asked about the potential bid, telling the Times that Markey would not be forced to retire.

“Ed is not going anywhere,” Paul Tencher told the newspaper. “He’s going to run, and he’s going to run no matter who is in this race.”

Markey and Kennedy's campaigns did not immediately return requests for comment from The Hill on the Times's report.

If Kennedy enters the race, he will likely face an uphill battle for the seat, as Markey enjoys the support of the state's junior senator, Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), who taped a video in support of his reelection earlier this year, according to the Times.

One name in Massachusetts politics who has not endorsed Markey yet is Rep. Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleyEnding the Hyde Amendment is no longer on the backburner Fauci, Black Lives Matter founders included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE (D-Mass.), who the Times reports is considering her own bid either for Markey's seat or Warren's should the latter become president in 2020.