Ex-Bosox Star Schilling Mulls Bid for Kennedy's Senate Seat

World Series hero pondering move to Washington

World Series hero Curt Schilling is considering throwing his baseball cap into the ring and running for Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy's empty seat.

The outspoken former pitcher, who led the Boston Red Sox to two World Series titles, told NECN he was leaning against, but not ruling out, a run. "I do have some interest in the possibility," Schilling wrote on his blog after the interview. "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."

Schilling, believed to be a Republican, could be one of the more notable names in a special election set for Jan. 19, 2010. The seat has been held by a Kennedy for most of the last half-century. John F. Kennedy held the seat before getting elected president in 1960. He wanted little brother Ted to follow him, but Ted was just 28 at the time. So JFK got an old pal appointed to fill out his term and serve until Ted was old enough to run.

While the Kennedys may see the seat as belonging to the family, they do not want Ted Kennedy's widow, Vicki Kennedy, to get it, according to Irishcentral.com. That web site said Ted Kennedy Jr., who spoke eloquently at his father's funeral last month, is the family's choice. Another possibility is Ted Kennedy's nephew, Joseph Kennedy, a former congressman with close ties to Venezuelan strong man Hugo Chavez.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is the only potential candidate to signal she will run for the seat. 

Get more: Politico, Irish Central, Boston Globe

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