Romney Weighing Run For Governor
Sources Say Decision Will Come Soon
POSTED: 6:45 p.m. EST February 25, 2002
BOSTON -- Now that the Olympics are over, Mitt Romney is considering a run for Massachusetts governor. Romney headed up the Salt Lake City Olympic committee, rescuing an effort mired in bribery scandals. On vacation now in Hawaii, sources told NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu that he will likely decide as early as this week whether he will run. "In the world of politics, you have to find the right opportunity, the right window open at the right time," Romney said in a CNN interview earlier this month. "A position that you think you can win, and one where you think you can make a real contribution."
Romney's statement encouraged Massachusetts Republicans -- in particular business people -- to actively lobby him to run against acting Gov. Jane Swift. Sources close to the Belmont native said that he will run if he feels he can win. Swift, in Washington Monday, no longer denied that a Romney run is now possible. "Every conversation I've had with individuals who've talked to Mitt Romney have indicated that he's interested in contributing in Massachusetts and improving the Republican party, and I've lots of ideas how he could be helpful there," Swift said. Romney's supporters said he should run based on the success of the Winter Games. He also has one campaign under this belt -- his 1994 run against Sen. Ted Kennedy -- and as a successful businessman and multimillionaire, he has the personal wealth to finance a campaign. On the other had, Swift supporters pointed out that he's been absent from Massachusetts for many years, the state convention is now less than six weeks away -- not a lot of time to woo delegates -- and he wants assurances he can win before he commits, which may be impossible. Sources said he is very interested in a political career, but because of his 1994 loss to Kennedy, he believes he can't afford a second defeat. "I wasn't scared away by politics, but I actually thought they were pretty interesting, and I'd like to participate if I found the right kind of opportunity where I thought I could win," Romney said. Sources close to Romney said that before committing to the race, Romney wants party leaders to tell him he can win the primary against Swift, and he needs to believe he can beat whomever the Democrats elect in September. So far, there have been no head-to-head polls comparing Romney with Swift, and he has not yet commissioned one. Those close to him said he will send signals shortly to Massachusetts delegates, letting them know if he's serious about coming back to the Bay State.
