September 23, 2009
Posted: September 23rd, 2009 04:26 PM ET

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Pitching legend Curt Schilling has decided not to run for the Massachusetts Senate seat left open by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
Pitching legend Curt Schilling has decided not to run for the Massachusetts Senate seat left open by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

(CNN) - Pitching legend Curt Schilling has decided not to run for the Massachusetts Senate seat left open by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

The former Boston Red Sox ace, an outspoken conservative who campaigned for former Republican presidential candidate John McCain last year, told HBO Tuesday he has ruled out mounting a GOP bid for the coveted seat

"Regardless of the amount of support and outreach that's been given to me, it just did not make sense," Schilling said on HBO's "Joe Buck Live."

Earlier this month Schilling told a Boston radio station he was considering running for the seat, though added the chances were slim. Schilling also said then he had been approached by party leaders - including McCain - who advised he should consider mounting a campaign.

But questions arose whether Schilling, a registered independent, would have been allowed to run on the GOP ticket. A recent poll of Massachusetts voters also suggested the former Red Sox star might not fair well in a state-wide political race, garnering less than a 30 percent approval rating.

Republican State Sen. Scott Brown has announced he will run for the seat on the Republican side while state attorney Gen. Martha Coakley, Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca, and Rep. Mike Capuano are battling for the Democratic nomination. Primaries are set to be held on December 8 while the general election will take place on January 19.

Filed under: Curt Schilling • Popular Posts • Ted Kennedy


Chris   September 23rd, 2009 10:35 am ET

What's a party larder? I live in John McCain's state and I don't know what a larder is.

Jessie   September 23rd, 2009 10:31 am ET

Wise choice. He would have gotten his clock cleaned. That's like Micheal Moore running for Joe Wilson's seat.

Tom   September 23rd, 2009 10:26 am ET

First smart thing he's said about this race.

lou   September 23rd, 2009 10:22 am ET

There is only ONE man who should run for that seat and his name is Romney. He has been the governor and is a perfect replacement for ending the goofy Kennedy stranglehold. He can still run for President if he wishes, so nothing is lost.

Debra R   September 23rd, 2009 10:18 am ET

Too bad...I would have voted for him

Jordan   September 23rd, 2009 10:18 am ET

pitching "legend"? lol

A Democrat of 51 years who has finally got smart to their follishness.   September 23rd, 2009 10:17 am ET

Nobody wants to follow a crinimal.

Doug, New Jersey   September 23rd, 2009 10:15 am ET

Sadly in a state as blue as Taxachusetts Osama Bin Laden, Ahmadenijad, and Chavez have a better chance of being elected than a great American like Curt Shilling.

Nothing will ever top the reserection of Jesus Christ, but Romney winning an election in a state with such horrible, immoral, hateful, dishonest people is second. I agree with them on gay marriage (I'm pro choice and for decriminalizing drug abusers), but due to the way a majority of Democrats act in America, I will vote against them for as long as I live

Sniffit   September 23rd, 2009 10:14 am ET

Well, at least he's made one good decision we know about.

Pedro Martinez   September 23rd, 2009 10:12 am ET

Typical Curt Schilling, trying to steal my thunder!

Obama worst president EVER   September 23rd, 2009 10:05 am ET

Sorry to see Schill drop out.

Typical CNN slanted story. Schilling is a true INDEPENDENT, not a major conservative. Second, who would vote for Martha Coakley (snicker) instead of Curt Schilling? Democrats have to be breathing a sigh of relief today.

victim of republican greed   September 23rd, 2009 10:02 am ET

But Curt, John McCain endorsed your run, and he is seldom wrong. Wait, he chose Sarah Palin as a running mate, and said the fundamentals of the economy are strong. Never mind.

Obama worst president EVER   September 23rd, 2009 9:58 am ET

Too bad. Curt's the best.

We Won Get Over It   September 23rd, 2009 9:58 am ET

He sees that he has a snowballs chance in Hades to even be a candidate. So like the butt he is, he dropped out...good.

Right Trash   September 23rd, 2009 9:53 am ET

Thank goodness; the last thing we need in the Senate is another religious whack job.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   September 23rd, 2009 9:53 am ET

He didn't stand a chance of winning anyhow.

Stacy from Leesburg, VA   September 23rd, 2009 9:48 am ET

Well, it just goes to show that AL pitchers don’t ‘run’ too well—darn designated hitter rule!

Terry, TX   September 23rd, 2009 9:47 am ET

Welll I am ok with Brown.....Massachusetts should be embarrassed to change the senator replacement rule....when Romney was governor they said "the People Need to Choose"......Now because they have a democratic governor....."the Governor Needs to Choose".

Hypocrites and "Liars". I say "the People Choose the Senator"....and if they don't ..."Vote These Crook Politicians Out."

ran   September 23rd, 2009 9:46 am ET

Great. Now if we can get other Republicans to not run in other states like SC then maybe things can get done in congress.

Charlie in Maine   September 23rd, 2009 9:37 am ET

Phew, That was a close one. I am a die-hard Red Sox fan and I want to remember Curt for his good side (pitching with the bloody sock breaking the curse) I would have hate if if he had become a cog in the monsterous machine that the GOP has become.

Jenn, Philadelphia   September 23rd, 2009 9:27 am ET

Good. There are enough egotistical blow-hards in the Senate already.

frank   September 23rd, 2009 9:26 am ET

I know there are plenty of fools in politics but do we really need more.

Debra Austin, Texas   September 23rd, 2009 9:26 am ET

Duh. After being on a winning ticket, why would he want to be on a losing one.

Profiteers from Tears   September 23rd, 2009 9:25 am ET

Curt would make a great Shemp in a new movie about the three stooges.Notice,he cant even get a job coaching,let alone batboy.

FactCheck   September 23rd, 2009 9:21 am ET

Why the heck is this news? Didn't Gary Coleman once run for Governor of California? He had a better chance than this fool.

Jeff   September 23rd, 2009 9:19 am ET

Why not....he's good at playing games and makes a ridiculous amount of money for it.....sounds perfect for the Senate!!!

American Republican   September 23rd, 2009 9:18 am ET

Of course he wouldn't be able to run as on the GOP ticket. This would not be fair since it would give Democrats competition. Rules are for every one except the democrats.

Let's see if biased CNN posts this one seeing as how they only post a quarter of republican comments.

Terry from West Texas   September 23rd, 2009 9:13 am ET

Good. The last thing America needs is another Republican Senator to gum up the works. The only goal of America's Conservative leadership is to prevent our nation from taking any action to solve any problem or to make America a better nation. That, and only that, is the Conservative platform. Why middle class Americans continue to vote for Conservatism when it is clearly contrary to their own self-interest is the most baffling political phenomenon of the century.

Kevin in Ohio   September 23rd, 2009 9:08 am ET

Yeah, it probably doesnt make sense since the people of Massachusetts are in love with liberalism and entitlements.

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