State Senator Downing Decides Against Running for Kerry's Seat

Democratic State Senator Benjamin Downing, who was exploring a run for John Kerry’s Senate seat, decided not to enter the race, he said Friday in a statement. Money, it seems, was a limiting factor:

Over the past three weeks, I have spoken with family, friends and colleagues throughout the state about a possible run for the U.S. Senate.  The response was overwhelmingly positive …

He continues:

I wish their faith in me was enough to sustain a campaign, but I know that every consideration–especially financial–must be made before a race of this type is undertaken.  After considering every aspect of a possible campaign, I have determined that I will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming special election.

Scott Ferson, a Downing spokesman, echoed the state senator’s focus on fundraising in a tweet today:

You don’t need 10 million bucks to run for senate but you do need to be able to buy gas for the campaign car

— Scott M. Ferson (@scottferson) January 11, 2013

For now, that means U.S. Congressman Ed Markey is the only candidate to officially declare a candidacy for the race. As The Boston Globe notes, Markey already has $3.1 million in his federal campaign account and will receive financial backing from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the D.C. based group that works to elect Democrats. So far, that seems to be keeping the field pretty clear of candidates that don’t have another pipeline of cash, but it’s early yet.