McGee mulls bid for state Dem party chairmanship

LYNN – State Sen. Thomas M. McGee has confirmed he is thinking about seeking election to the state Democratic Party chairmanship and intends to stay in the Legislature if he runs for and wins the top party job.?I have been thinking it through. I?m interested in taking a look at it. The more I?ve talked to some members of the (Democratic state) committee, the more I?ve thought about it,” he said.The 57-year-old McGee has represented Lynn and five surrounding communities in the Senate since 2002 and has been a state committee member for 37 years.McGee said the top party job interests him because of the opportunity it provides to play a ringside role in the 2014 Democratic gubernatorial primary and general election for governor and other races he identified as important, including U.S. Rep. John Tierney?s reelection bid.?There is an opportunity to work on what I believe in in a larger role. There is an opportunity to work on the success we have had over the last several years. It?s an opportunity to build on that,” he said.McGee said party members meet Oct. 7 to map out rules for the Oct. 17 state committee election to pick outgoing Chairman John Walsh?s successor. Three hundred state committee members will choose a new chairman.McGee said there is plenty of precedent for his decision to stay in the senate if he runs for the chairmanship and wins the election. He said three of the party?s last six chairmen and women were elected officials.He said he has previously considered seeking the party chairmanship.