METHUEN — It looks like state Sen. Steven Baddour is gearing up for a run for attorney general.
With Martha Coakley campaigning for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat in Washington, her job could be up for grabs come Jan. 20.
Baddour, a former assistant attorney general and chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, has said he will consider running if Coakley wins the special election.
"I'll give the same comment I always give," Baddour said yesterday. "If Martha Coakley wins in January, I'll take a serious look at the seat."
But Baddour is not actually waiting until January.
With Coakley consistently leading in the polls and the Dec. 8 primary fast approaching, Baddour has started telling colleagues on Beacon Hill that he is seriously considering a bid.
Last month he launched a statewide fundraising drive.
In a fundraising letter, Baddour never once mentions the attorney general job directly.
But the letter emphasizes his law enforcement credentials, touting his "hands-on" work on tough-on-crime legislation like Melanie's Law, which established harsh penalties against repeat drunken drivers. He talks of filing a bill with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone to protect victims from sexually dangerous persons.
"I hope that you are proud of the work I have done on behalf of our state. But in order to continue the fight to reform government and advance common sense principles, I need your help," the letter states.
He goes on to ask for contributions of $50 to $500 before a Nov. 30 deadline.
"Any amount you can spare will go a long way," the letter reads.
Baddour would not say how much he pulled in with this fundraising drive, and campaign finance reports do not reveal any of Baddour's 2009 activity.
At the close of 2008, Baddour had $263,659 in his war chest, according to state campaign finance records filed in July. While Baddour touts one of the larger war chests of senators on Beacon Hill, he will need considerably more money to run for a statewide seat.
Coakley had raised close to $1.2 million in 2006 when she won the position.
Baddour is also supporting Coakley's run for Senate. He is scheduled to appear with her today at the Haverhill YWCA.
"I think she's the best candidate," he said.
As to who would run for Baddour's seat were he to become attorney general, Rep. Mike Costello, D-Newburyport, said he has no plans to seek higher office, but rather will run for re-election when his term ends.
"I don't think my plans are affected by what the senator (Baddour) plans to do," Costello said. "I plan to run for re-election to the House. I love the position I'm in to serve two cities and one town."
Elected in 2003 to the House of Representatives, Costello serves as chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
"I like being in the House and having the small geographical area I'm intimately involved with," Costello said. "I grew up in Amesbury, I've lived in Newburyport for nearly 20 years. I spent my childhood working on the beach. I know all three cities and towns and know what they need. I hope I'm doing a good job at the Statehouse advocating for those needs."
Costello said being chairman of Public Safety and Homeland Security lets him work to influence greater legislation for the state.
"Being chairman has put me in the position to impact legislation and impact the way bills move through the House," Costello said. "I'm in a great spot in the House and enjoy it. I plan to run for re-election and hope my district will honor me again for a re-election bid."
This is not the first time Baddour has considered running for a higher office. He looked at running for Martin Meehan's Fifth District congressional seat in 2007.
But he took himself out of the running early on, saying the time he would have to spend in Washington, D.C., would be too much with two young daughters at home.
"Anyone can be a member of Congress," Baddour said at the time. "I'm the only one who can be the father of my two daughters."
Baddour said this time around would be different, if he chooses to run.
"This is a different opportunity," he said. "I would still be home every night."
Coakley faces off against Steve Pagliuca, Congressman Michael Capuano and Alan Khazei in a primary Tuesday. Should she win, she will likely take on Republican state Sen. Scott Brown in the Jan. 19 general election.
Under state law, if Coakley did vacate the attorney general post, the Legislature names a temporary replacement. But there would likely be an election in the fall.
If Baddour does officially throw in his hat, he will have some competition.
The field appears likely to include at least one of the state's district attorneys. Norfolk County District Attorney William Keating has said he would run if Coakley moves to the Senate. Bristol County District Attorney Samuel Sutter said he would "take a serious look" if Coakley wins. Secretary of State William Galvin last month called a bid for attorney general "hypothetical."
"Let's see what happens in January," Baddour said.
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