Governor 2014 Race Takes Flight

I've got a new name to add to the mix, and there's a clue in my headline to this post; did you get it?

For context, there was a bit of Massachusetts political news lost in the debate posturing of the US Senate race today: the State House News Service reported that state Treasurer Steve Grossman says he is "going to take a hard look at running for governor in 2014" as soon as next Tuesday's election is over.

Not a shock, but as close as we've had to a hat thrown in the ring for the 2014 gubernatorial race.

This comes as rumors swirl out of Worcester that Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray is planning to make exploratory moves soon after November 6.

I can now add a more unanticipated name to those weighing a campaign: Dan Wolf.

Wolf, the first-term state senator from the Cape and Islands, and founder of Cape Air (hence 'takes flight,' get it?), is seriously considering a run for governor, according to someone working closely with him.

Wolf will surely appeal to progressives in what is likely to be a competitive Democratic primary. He also brings a successful business background. And, he presumably has some money, if not necessarily a Romneyesque fortune, to help his own cause.

But his biggest asset might simply be that he doesn't reek of Beacon Hill insiderism, the way Grossman and Murray do to some. (See my June article about Bay State Democrats hoping for an outsider to enter the race.)

On the other hand, Wolf is pretty much unknown across the state, and could come across a little Pagliuca-esque. Indeed, Wolf could be seen as simply a minor-league version of Grossman.

And, it's not certain that he'll actually run. But as of tonight, add his name to the mix.