Ben Affleck Says He’s Not Running For Senate In Massachusetts

Ben Affleck said he has no intention to run for a potentially open Senate seat in Massachusetts, preferring instead to focus on his film career that has shot off in recent years.

After staying quiet about rumors that he could be replacing Senator John Kerry in Massachusetts, Ben Affleck finally spoke up to say he was not angling for the seat, The Huffington Post reported.

“I love Massachusetts and our political process, but I am not running for office,” he said.

Affleck did say he planned to continue his political projects, including his work with the Eastern Congo Initiative and with fighting hunger in the United States.

Ben Affleck also took the time to praise John Kerry and say he looked forward to whoever would be nominated for the seat.

“We are about to get a great Secretary of State and there are some phenomenal candidates in Massachusetts for his Senate seat,” said Affleck. “I look forward to an amazing campaign.”

Other potential candidates that have been floated for the seat include members of Congress from Massachusett and outgoing Senator Scott Brown, who was defeated by Elizabeth Warren in November.

Ben Affleck may have ruled out a Senate bid right now, but the actor and director may still have a political future. His appearances on Real Time With Bill Maher seem to hint that Affleck may run for office one day, reports Entertainment Weekly.

“One never knows. I’m not one to get into conjecture,” Ben Affleck said. “I do have a great fondness and admiration for the political process in this country. It’s a big deal for me to come down here and be on your show that I’ve watched so much, but I’m not going to get into speculation about my political future.”