A Beacon Hill source has told The Somerville News that the special election to fill the state senate seat vacated by the late Charles E. Shannon Jr. will not be called for this summer. The source said the primary will be held Aug. 30 with the final election Sept. 27.

Another source, who is close to process, told this paper that the there is still a chance for a quick election called for this summer.

A quick election could hurt the chances of State Rep. Patricia D. Jehlen, D-Somerville, if the college students are away for the summer.

In a late election, the question of dual candidacies comes into play for Ward 5 Alderman Sean T. O’Donovan and Alderman-at-large William A. White Jr.

Shannon’s chief of staff Sean J. Fitzgerald is preparing to make a formal announcement that he is in the race for his last boss’ job.

The question then becomes: Is Fitzgerald better off when Dorothy A. Kelly Gay endorses former state representative Joseph Mackey?

Fitzgerald was Kelly Gay’s communications director during her mayordom, but it seems that although she encouraged Fitzgerald to run, she never considered him more than a loyal servant. With Mackey in the race Kelly Gay is going with a brand name.

There are enough voters still ticked off at Kelly Gay for what she had done and what she had failed to do that they could put Fitzgerald over the top.

State Rep. Paul J. Danato, D-Medford, will not run, since his wife would not give him the green light. But, Vincent P. Ciampa, who lost twice to current State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino Jr., D-Somerville, in 2004, may be back in 2005.

Ciampa is tanned, rested and smiling again. We understand his campaign is being put together by another Kelly Gay hand and current real estate agent, whose name escapes us.