Doug Scamman

Former State House Speaker Doug Scamman said that while many fellow Republicans want him to run for the state Senate, he will not be a candidate.

"There are a lot of people out there telling me I should run, but I tell them I am not. Then they go ahead and say that I am considering it and hope that I change my mind. But I am not running for the state Senate," said Scamman in an interview.

Former Republican House Speaker Doug Scamman is talking to some prominent Republican leaders about the possibility of making a run for state Senate against Maggie Hassan Senate District 23. Scamman is seen by many as the strongest candidate the Republicans could recruit in 23 to run against Hassan in a presidential year.

Hassan is considered by many Democratic insiders as a top recruit to fill the Governor’s office once John Lynch decides he has had enough. Republicans think Scamman would be the one candidate with the experience, money and name ID to try and derail those plans.