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Senate hopeful of the day: Curt Schilling

E-mail|Link|Comments () September 2, 2009 04:07 PM

By Globe Staff

Add another name to the growing list of pols and would-be pols eyeing a run for Edward M. Kennedy's Senate seat: former Red Sox ace Curt Schilling.

That's right, Mr. Bloody Sock himself told NECN's Brad Puffer in an interview today that he has been "contacted" about a possible Senate run and has not ruled it out.

"I'm not going to divulge the discussions, but I've been contacted by people whose opinion I give credence to and listen to, and I listened," Schilling said.

Asked whether he would run, Schilling said, "As of today, probably not."

"I don't know, going forward," Schilling said. "That's a pretty big deal, from a commitment standpoint, not just for me but for my family."

After the interview, Schilling added to his comments with a statement he posted on his blog.

"I do have some interest in the possibility," Schilling wrote. "That being said to get to there, from where I am today, many many things would have to align themselves for that to truly happen. I am not going to comment further on the matter since at this point it would be speculation on top of speculation."

If Schilling were to give it a go, he would presumably run as a Republican -- he supported President George W. Bush in the 2004 election, and he campaigned for Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential race.

The list of potential successors was fairly clear long before Kennedy's death last week. Most knew Attorney General Martha Coakley would look at it, and that US Representatives Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch would, too. Maybe a Kennedy or two would consider extending the family legacy.

But since last week, as the reality of the first open Senate seat in 25 years set in, a bunch of new names have trickled out -- among them former lieutenant governor Kerry Healey; US Representative Edward Markey; former acting governor Jane Swift; and now Schilling.
We all know Schilling can pitch. But can he stump?

"I don't have a really good filter," Schilling said in the interview with NECN. "Actually my first press conference could probably be my last as someone on the political scene, which probably wouldn't be a bad thing."

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(Jim Davis/Globe Staff/file 2007)

Curt Schilling (right) campaigned in New Hampshire for Senator John McCain during his presidential campaign. The former Red Sox pitcher said today he has not ruled out his own run for US Senate to fill the vacancy left by the death of Edward M. Kennedy.