On to 2012!

STATEWIDE OFFICERS

Deval Patrick – pledged to serve full first term and seek re-election, but I don’t recall if he pledged to serve full second term.

Tim Murray – I’ve heard a lot of positive talk, but I don’t see him and Jim McGovern both running.

Bill Galvin – don’t see it happening, don’t think he’s ever shown interest.

Martha Coakley – been there, done that, which either means she’s damaged goods in this context or has learned from her mistakes.

Grossman/Bump – covered on another thread, and I agree with those who say it is unwise/impractical for either to start a Senate race while still getting their feet wet in new positions.

US REPRESENTATIVES (If one incumbent chose to seek the Senate rather than re-election that could save redistricting headaches.)

John Olver – relatively little money leads to routine speculation he’s ready to retire from the House, let alone seek the Senate.

Richard Neal – Does anyone know him outside his own district?  I feel like he is the member of our delegation about whom I hear the least.

Jim McGovern – I know lots of people have good things to say and I like him too, but per above probably will not share a primary ballot with the LG.

Barney Frank – If Dems held the House he’d probably stay put, but in the minority maybe he’d consider it.

Niki Tsongas – never expressed interest as far as I know, but if she wants to continue to emulate her late husband she might at least think about it.

John Tierney – took a pass in the special election, don’t know what his interest level is.

Ed Markey – like Frank has a good gig in the House, especially when Dems are in charge.

Mike Capuano – already has practice and may have done better against Brown.

Stephen Lynch – publicly considered joining the special election fray, would get the conservative wing of the party, but could only get the nomination if the left were severely split.

Bill Keating – just got elected a la Grossman and Bump, so not likely.

Marty Meehan – as far as I know still sitting on a federal campaign warchest worth some $5 million.  He was all but ready to seek the vacancy Kerry would have left after being elected President in 2004.  Good chance I would support him.

Joe Kennedy – restoring the dynasty and has publicly expressed regret that he did not seek the special election.

I invite this to be an open thread on 2012, especially with regard to the US Senate.  Do people have preferences or other possible candidates?