A rabbi could be in the running to replace John Kerry when he takes on the job of Secretary of State.

The Massachusetts senator and former presidential hopeful is leaving his seat to take over Hillary Clinton's role in the Obama administration.

According to reports, Boston rabbi Jonah Plesner is considering running for the seat.

The rabbi, a senior figure in America's Reform movement, told a reporter for The Phoenix that he had started "exploratory conversations" on mounting a Senate bid.

Should he run, Rabbi Plesner – a Democrat – could face Republican Scot Brown, who won a surprise victory for the other Massachusetts Senate seat in 2010 but was not re-elected last year.

Rabbi Plesner is senior vice president of the national Union of Reform Judaism and was a leading campaigner to bring in changes to healthcare provision in the state. The 2006 reform of care in Massachusetts is often cited as the template for President Obama's nationwide healthcare legislation.

Last year Shmuley Boteach attempted to become the first Orthodox rabbi to win a congressional seat, but lost by a large margin.