'Idol' raises profile of political dad

Scott Brown has been in an unusual -- and enviable -- position recently. Even as he's tried to go about his day-to-day duties as a state senator, he's been bathed in the combined glow of show biz and political spotlights.

The Wrentham state senator has gotten attention as the father of 17-year-old Ayla Brown, who has appeared on the ''American Idol" TV show. At the same time, his own name has been repeatedly mentioned as a contestant for the most coveted open slot in state Republican politics: running mate to Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey in her bid for governor.

Brown says he's focused on doing and keeping his current job. He even appeared at a Millis selectmen's meeting on Monday to discuss state education funding.

But he has been getting an unusual amount of exposure for a Republican holding a legislative office in the Democrat-dominated Bay State, and experts say it could boost his political prospects.

''For him it's a real career-builder," said Tufts University political science professor Jeffrey Berry.

State Representative Bradley Jones of Reading, who as House minority leader knows the struggle of boosting the Republican profile in Massachusetts, said almost any publicity is a good thing: ''You want to stay out of the obituaries and the police blotter. Other than that, having your name in the paper is a good thing."

While candidates for lieutenant governor and governor in Massachusetts technically run separately in their party primaries, Republican William F. Weld launched the practice of handpicking an understudy in 1992. The post has since become the fast track to political stardom for state Republicans, with Paul Cellucci and Jane Swift ascending to acting governor, and Cellucci winning the job on his own, and Healey poised for the nomination.

For his part, Brown says he has plenty of other things to focus on, including holding onto the Senate seat he won in 2004, fulfilling his duties as a National Guardsman, and his law practice. He says he was contacted by the Healey campaign ''a good month ago with a lot of what ifs, what ifs, what ifs," but hasn't heard anything since, isn't waiting by the phone, and doesn't know what he'd say if asked.

''It's certainly nice to be considered and I know I'm on some sort of list, but it's not something I've actively pursued," said Brown, whose district includes parts of Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex counties. ''As far as I'm concerned, I've always been running for reelection as a senator -- I worked too hard to give it up."

He's particularly dismissive of last week's speculation about Ayla's television experience influencing the lieutenant governor selection process or forcing a delay in the decision.

''She's doing her own thing and I'm doing mine," he said. ''We've always been a mutually supportive family . . . and somehow at the end of the day it all works out."

But he'll concede the international reach of ''Idol" has likely boosted his name recognition. Even Democrats loath to speculate about the Republican lieutenant governor selection will take the opportunity to share a nice word about Ayla.

''He should be very proud of his daughter," said Democratic state Representative David Linsky of Natick, who refused to utter a word about Republican politics or Brown's prospects, but was eager to compliment a local girl he says has become ''a member of the family" for the region.

''She seems like the type of girl anybody would love to have as a daughter," he said.

Healey has been mostly silent on the lieutenant governor selection process and didn't return calls seeking comment on Brown this week. She has also deflected such questions with pleasant comments and good wishes for Ayla.

Perhaps a more likely impact on Healey's thinking than a television show, observers say, was the circus on the Democratic side of the gubernatorial race, where Attorney General Tom Reilly fell from heavy favorite into a horse race by botching the selection of his running mate.

His surprise initial pick of state Representative Marie St. Fleur had party members accusing him of breaking promises to other prospective candidates. Then revelations of her failure to pay federal taxes and student loans forced her to step down just 24 hours later.

The misstep may be causing Healey to take a little extra time, which could in turn bring a little extra attention, and benefits, to those being considered, regardless of who gets chosen. Others mentioned for the job include US Attorney Michael Sullivan and Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins.

''I think it is an opportunity for the party to introduce some of those people" to voters across the state, said Jones.

Brown, said Berry, could use this chance to advance in a state party short on big names and desperate to groom the few legislators it has. Brown is one of six Republican senators, and the Senate's minority leader, Brian Lees of East Longmeadow, is not seeking reelection.

But Berry said Brown ''needs to be cautious," warning of the dangers of appearing too ambitious by pursuing the job.

This isn't Brown's first experience as a hot commodity. When he narrowly won a special Senate election to replace the departing Democrat Cheryl Jacques two years ago, he was a shining example of Governor Mitt Romney's promise to put more Republicans in office. By year's end, recalls Jones, he was almost the only success story and a ''cause celebre."

He hasn't been shy about taking advantage of it since, he said.

'' 'Shy' and 'Scott Brown' are not two things you associate," said Jones.

But for now, Brown seems content to stick to local business.

He dutifully attended the Millis meeting last Monday, telling local officials he empathized with their budget struggles.

''Rumors are rumors," he said later, insisting one more time he hasn't heard a thing from the Healey camp lately. ''Everyone thinks they call me up and get my input. These are capable people, and they've been doing it very well without Scott Brown."

Globe correspondent Emma Stickgold contributed to this report.