University of Massachusetts Lowell chancellor and former congressman Martin T. Meehan, while not interested in running for the US Senate seat held by Scott Brown, is not ruling out a possible run for public office down the road.
“I’ve learned that you need to keep options open,’’ Meehan told WCVB-TV’s “On the Record’’ program in an interview that will be broadcast tomorrow morning.
Meehan said he uses his more than $5 million in campaign funds to support former colleagues and causes he believes in. Meehan, 54, said that perhaps in 10 years he might see a political opportunity that would be a good fit, but added that he is focused on his current job.
“I have a lot on my plate, and I enjoy what I’m doing and we’re going in the right direction, so I don’t think it’s anything that I would do in the immediate future,’’ Meehan said.
During the interview, the Andover Democrat also said the Tea Party movement would make it difficult for Republicans in Congress to govern and said he was disappointed in the way Congress is going.
“I think the institution is too partisan,’’ Meehan said.
He said that cuts in Pell Grants and funding for public higher education make him think he might be interested in getting back into politics.
He said 10 years is a good amount of time for a university chancellor. “I don’t think university presidents should stay for long, long periods of time,’’ said Meehan, who took the UMass Lowell job in July 2007.
