MA SEN: Lynch Out
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-09) announced this a.m. that he will not seek the seat of late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D).
Lynch, in a statement: "The challenge of putting together the resources and organization necessary to wage a competitive statewide campaign in less than 90 days is insurmountable."
According to a campaign aide, Lynch made the decision to withdraw his bid 9/14 p.m. Lynch "had really taken no steps to put together a camp team before the senator's death," according to the aide.
The aide said the potential candidacies of Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca (D) and City Year co-founder Alan Khazei (D) -- both of whom emerged as contenders over the past 24 hours -- were not factors in Lynch's decision.
The aide, on Pagliuca: "Pagliuca has a lot of money, but this is a guy who thought that [ex-Gov.] Mitt Romney [R] would be a better Senator than Ted Kennedy."
Lynch has not said anything about whether he will throw his support behind another candidate, according to the aide.
(FELICIA SONMEZ)