Tarr still weighs Senate decision

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February 13, 2013

Tarr still weighs Senate decision

By Marjorie Nesin Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Wed Feb 13, 2013, 12:00 AM EST

The field of candidates running for the open U.S. Senate seat grew on Tuesday — but not because State Senate Minority Leader and Gloucester Republican Bruce Tarr has decided to throw his hat in the ring.

A day after state Sen. Minority Leader Bruce Tarr’s self-imposed Monday deadline passed for announcing whether he will run for U.S. Senate, the state senator had yet to make or announce a decision as of press time Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Cohasset Republican Gabriel Gomez, jumped in the race Tuesday, joining a pool of confirmed candidates that includes only one other Republican, Norfolk state Rep. Dan Winslow.

The race, however, also includes Congressman Stephen Lynch, a Democrat out of South Boston, Democratic Congressman Edward Markey of Malden and declared Libertarian candidate Daniel Fishman of Beverly. Governor’s Councilor Jennie Caissie, a Republican, is also “seriously thinking about” candidacy.

Tarr cited the weekend blizzard as a reason for delaying the announcement that was originally slated to be made “by Monday,” he had said last week.

If Tarr decides to run for the seat vacated by John Kerry, who took a position as Secretary of State last week, Tarr will need to collect 10,000 signatures of support for his running by Feb. 28.

Tarr’s campaign manager Lisa-Marie Cashman distributed a statement on Tarr’s behalf late Monday night.

“Due to necessary vetting that was delayed as a result of the recent storm, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will not be announcing his decision regarding his decision to run for the U.S. Senate tonight,” Cashman wrote Monday night.

And while Cashman said a decision would be forthcoming, she did not specify when — or what — Tarr would announce. And there were no updates as of Tuesday night. Tarr, meanwhile, was in a state Senate session that carried into Tuesday evening at the State House.

Tarr has reportedly been meeting with other Republicans in deciding who ought to run for the position.

Those who do enter will face off in an April 30 primary and in a June 26 special election.

Since the election is a special election, Tarr would be able to continue to hold his seat as a state senator throughout the campaign process and, if he were to enter and lose the race, the state seat would still be his on June 27.

We will update this story today at gloucestertimes.com if and when any announcement is made.

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Marjorie Nesin can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3451, or at mnesin@gloucestertimes.com.