Idle Political Thoughts
According to the Secretary of State's website, I would only need 10,000 signatures to get on the ballot for Senate from Massachusetts.
The question is, as a local politician who has never held a state office, would I have a chance at all at convincing the voters of the commonwealth that I would be their best choice for senator? Running for an office such as senator requires an organization and funding, and at the moment I have neither one of those. I can collect 50 Brookline signatures myself next year to run for re-election as a Library Trustee. Collecting 10,000 Massachusetts signatures would require many, many volunteers (or paid workers) throughout the commonwealth.
Also, I'd need to make my platform explicit; a website would probably be a good start.
The question is, as a local politician who has never held a state office, would I have a chance at all at convincing the voters of the commonwealth that I would be their best choice for senator? Running for an office such as senator requires an organization and funding, and at the moment I have neither one of those. I can collect 50 Brookline signatures myself next year to run for re-election as a Library Trustee. Collecting 10,000 Massachusetts signatures would require many, many volunteers (or paid workers) throughout the commonwealth.
Also, I'd need to make my platform explicit; a website would probably be a good start.
On the other hand, if making a run for the seat got your name out there to the public, even if you didn't win it might lay the groundwork for something else later, such as running for a House seat.
If he can do it, you can do it.
Which isn't to say that you aren't qualified. I certainly think you are a better choice to be a senator than Sen. Gillebrand. But you need to pay your dues, no doubt.
Also, if Barney Frank were to run - which I don't think is likely - I would tell you to back him to the hilt. I want that man in the Senate.