Capuano, Facing Likely Competition from Warren, Announces He Will Not Seek U.S. Senate Seat in 2012

Rep. Michael E. Capuano has decided not to run for a seat in the Senate.

“After serious personal reflection, I have decided not to seek the United States Senate seat for Massachusetts at this time,” Capuano wrote in a statement released Friday. “There are several good candidates currently in the race and I am fully satisfied that any nominee from this group will represent Massachusetts effectively in the Senate.”

Capuano, a Democrat, represents the 8th Congressional district that includes Cambridge, Boston, Somerville, and Chelsea.

He previously ran for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Scott P. Brown, but was unsuccessful in winning the Democratic nomination in the January 2010 special election after the death of the late Senator Ted Kennedy ’54-’56.

Brown defeated Attorney General Martha Coakley, a surprising upset in a traditionally blue state.

Brown’s inauguration broke the Democratic supermajority in the Senate, and was followed by a wave of Republicans elected to Congress in the mid-term election last November.

Harvard Law School professor and former Obama Administration advisor Elizabeth Warren has hinted over the past weeks that she plans to run against Brown in the upcoming election. Warren, who has spent the past year beefing up consumer protection regulations, has garnered respect from her Democrat peers in Washington, many of whom are now urging her to run.

Some analysts say that the excitement surrounding Warren has drawn the spotlight away from other possible candidates.

“She is sucking all of the oxygen out of the race,” said Mass. Democratic Strategist Scott Ferson. “No one else has figured out how to be even mentioned. She has momentum because she is legitimately an exciting candidate.”

Capuano said that he intends to run for re-election in the House.

“Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me to seek the Senate seat,” he wrote. “I very much appreciate your support and your insight. I look forward to seeking re-election to the House in 2012.”

Alison Mills, Capuano’s press secretary, could not be reached for comment.

—Caroline M. Mckay contributed reporting to this story.

—Staff writer Tara W. Merrigan can be reached at tmerrigan@college.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Nathalie R. Miraval can be reached at nmiraval@college.harvard.edu.