Frank Not Interested in Kennedy Seat

Rep. Barney Frank said he is not interested in the seat vacated by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, saying that he prefers to focus on the demands of his powerful role as the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

Speaking with journalist Lisa Keen earlier this week, Frank said that the financial reforms facing the nation are his priority, and not the Senate seat.

"There's no way I could run for the Senate and work on this," said Frank, as reported by Keen. "And if I saw me in this position, saying I was interested in this reform but was running for the Senate, I wouldn't vote for me."

Frank acknowledged that he considered running for Senate in 2004 when it appeared that Sen. John Kerry might be elected president. "I would have liked to have been a senator," said Frank, one of three openly gay members of Congress.

Frank said he has already decided whom he will support in the December 8 Democratic primary for the Senate seat, but he declined to disclose his choice. The special election for the seat will take place January 19.