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In the Merrimack Valley: Meehan Says “No”
Photo by Kevin Harkins from Merrimack Valley Magazine
In an article in today’s Eagle Tribune, UMass Lowell Chancellor and former Congressman Marty Meehan tells reporter Jill Harmacinski and the ET editorial board that he has no plans to run in a race to replace Senator John Kerry should he be the President’s pick for Secretary of State. From Meehan:
This has come up in the past,” said Meehan, when asked about running for Kerry’s seat. “No … When I came to UMass, I wanted to make a difference. It takes some time. While we’ve had some successes, I’m not thinking of leaving to go back into politics in Washington…
He’s not interested now, but Meehan is not ruling out a political run in the future. Some $4.65 million remains in his campaign account, money he can tap into for charitable donations and federal political donations, he said.
He’s well aware of the “dysfunction” right now in politics at the federal level and expressed disinterest in jumping back into that environment. The longer he works in his role as chancellor the less he misses politics, he said.
He also said he didn’t want to be apart from his family. “I really don’t miss it,” he said.
Read the full article here at eagletribune.com: http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1839367994/Meehan-says-he-wont-run-to-replace-Kerry-in-Senate
Like you, I thought Marty would be a very strong candidate and a great Senator so I’m disappointed he won’t be running. On the other hand, UMass Lowell under his leadership has become so central to Lowell’s future, both immediate and long-term, losing him as Chancellor would be a great loss. We win either way.
As for Democratic Senate candidates, I’m now hearing Congressmen Markey, Capuano and Lynch. Hopefully they won’t all run but will settle on a single candidate and avoid a primary fight. For the Republicans, I can’t imagine Scott Brown not running.