Official: MSNBC pundit may seek Pa. Senate seat

Chris+Matthew+is+seen+on+stage+at+The+Womens+Conference%2C+Wednesday%2C+Oct.+22%2C+2008%2C+in+Long+Beach%2C+Calif.+A+Pennsylvania+Democratic+party+leader+says+television+political+pundit+Chris+Matthews+may+be+considering+a+run+for+U.S.+Senate+in+2010.+The+Patriot-News+of+Harrisburg+reports+Matthews+met+with+state+party+leaders+this+past+week+in+Washington+to+discuss+a+possible+bid+to+unseat+Republican+Sen.+Arlen+Specter.+%28AP+Photo%2FMatt+Sayles%29

Matt Sayles

Chris Matthew is seen on stage at The Women’s Conference, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, in Long Beach, Calif. A Pennsylvania Democratic party leader says television political pundit Chris Matthews may be considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2010. The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reports Matthews met with state party leaders this past week in Washington to discuss a possible bid to unseat Republican Sen. Arlen Specter. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

The Associated Press
November 30, 2008

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews may be considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2010, a Pennsylvania Democratic party leader says.

The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported that Matthews met with state party leaders this past week in Washington to discuss a possible bid to unseat Republican Sen. Arlen Specter.

Party official Mary Isenhour said she left the meeting feeling that Matthews still hadn’t made up his mind.

The 62-year-old Matthews hosts MSNBC’s “Hardball” and provides political commentary on NBC’s “Today.” His contract with MSNBC expires in June.

Matthews, a Philadelphia native, ran unsuccessfully for a Pennsylvania congressional seat in 1974.

Specter, the longest-serving senator in Pennsylvania history, has repeatedly said he is seeking re-election. He would be 80 if he wins again.

There was no immediate comment from Matthews on Saturday. A reliable home telephone number could not be located and a representative of MSNBC did not immediately return a call.