Today, Former Senator Scott Brown confirmed that he will not be running in the upcoming special election. This afternoon, Brown issued a formal statement:
"I was not at all certain that a third Senate campaign in less than four years, and the prospect of returning to a Congress even more partisan than the one I left, was really the best way for me to continue in public service at this time," he said. "And I know it's not the only way for me to advance the ideals and causes that matter most to me."
In 2010 Brown won the special election election after Ted Kennedy's untimely demise, but recently lost a tight campaign against the current Ma. Senator, Elizabeth Warren. The Republican remained popular among Massachusetts voters, still had a statewide political organization and demonstrated an ability to raise tens of millions in campaign donations.
Brown said that he was seriously entertaining the option of running: "Over these past few weeks I have given serious thought about the possibility of running again, as events have created another vacancy requiring another special election," he said to Channel 7 News. "I have received a lot of encouragement from friends and supporters to become a candidate, and my competitive instincts were leading in the same direction."
With Brown out of the running, potential Republican candidates include William Weld and former Lt. Governor, Kerry Healy. Weld has recently returned to Massachusetts, to take on a job at the law firm Mintz-Levin. He said if Brown did not run, he would throw his hat in.
Political insiders are saying this will give state Democrats a competitive edge in the special election. State Republicans say there are many other potential candidates, and allude to Browns surprise victory in 2010, alluding that they have the ace in the sleeve, and can do it again.
This week, Governor Deval Patrick named one of his former top aides, William "Mo" Cowan as interim Senator.
The special election is slated for June 25.
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