Ben Affleck rumored to be considering Senate run, won’t comment


Yesterday, Ben Affleck spoke in front of The House Armed Services Committee on the issue of violence in Eastern Congo. It’s a cause he’s committed to, having founded his own nonprofit, The Eastern Congo initiative, and having made multiple trips to the war-torn region in the past handful of years. Affleck also met privately with members of The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and posed for a photo with Senator John Kerry, from his native Massachusetts. After Dr. Susan Rice (the current UN Ambassador) withdrew her name from consideration last week (she was rumored to be Obama’s first choice), Sen. Kerry is considered the frontrunner to replace Hillary Clinton when she steps down as Secretary of State next month. (Incidentally, there are also rumors that Kerry could be in the position to take over as Secretary of Defense if SecDef Leon Panetta steps down.) There’s a lot of buzz as to who would run as the Democratic candidate from Massachusetts when Kerry steps down. There’s speculation that it could be Affleck, and he’s not denying it at all:

Actor Ben Affleck refused to comment on reports that he’s being touted as a possible senatorial candidate in Massachusetts.

In Washington to raise awareness about the violence plaguing Congo, Affleck was also scheduled to meet Wednesday with other lawmakers including Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who is widely believed to be replacing Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, opening a special election for a Senate seat in Massachusetts.

“That’s not what I’m here to talk about,” Affleck told POLITICO. “I’m here to talk about what role we can place in making the Eastern Congo a better place.”

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that he was being touted as a possible candidate for Senate in Massachusetts. Affleck campaigned for Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) when she beat freshman Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) in November. There is also speculation that Brown would be interested in running again.

Another potential candidate on the Dems’ side? Ted Kennedy Jr., the late senator’s son. His adviser told POLITICO this morning if Kerry’s seat opens up, Kennedy would give “very serious consideration” to running.

Kerry spokesman Alec Gerlach declined to comment on Affleck’s political rumors. But Gerlach confirmed that Affleck would meet with Kerry and other members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of which Kerry is chairman.

“I’m at home,” quipped Affleck, a Cambridge native, with a smile to a handful of photographers flashing cameras in his face as he took his seat inside the Rayburn House Office Building outside of the Capitol.

Actor Ben Affleck is refusing to comment on reports that he’s being touted as a possible senatorial candidate in Massachusetts.

In Washington to raise awareness about the violence plaguing Congo, Affleck was also scheduled to meet Wednesday with other lawmakers, including Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who is widely believed to be replacing Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, which would open a special election for a Senate seat in Massachusetts.

“That’s not what I’m here to talk about,” Affleck told POLITICO. “I’m here to talk about what role we can play in making the Eastern Congo a better place.”

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that he was being touted as a potential candidate for Senate in Massachusetts. Affleck campaigned for Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in her race against freshman Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) in November. There is also speculation that Brown would be interested in running again.

[From Politico via Reddit]

I’ve been following Ben’s career for some time, and I think it’s completely possible that he could be considering a run for Senate. He may think the time is right now that Kerry is likely vacating. It’s also rumored that after Elizabeth Warren defeated Scott Brown, Brown would come back to run for Kerry’s vacant seat, so if this race comes down to Affleck versus Brown, it would be seen as a “Battle of the Beefcake”. (This article has more on the specifics of when a special election would take place in Massachusetts and what it would entail.) Ben is just coming onto his own as a top director, and it seems premature of him to step into politics. He’s only 40. Does he want a career as a politician or a director? You know, I think he’s sure enough of himself to assume that he doesn’t need to choose. Could this potential run be why he dropped out of that movie with Kristen Stewart? I just checked IMDB and he doesn’t have any other movies coming up. It’s probably on. Or else wouldn’t he deny it or make some quip about how he has movies to make?

Ben Affleck is shown with his adorable oldest daughter, Violet, on 12-16. Credit: Vanessa Pacheco, PacificCoastNews.com. He’s also shown with Violet, Seraphina, and his mom, Chris, on 12-12. Credit: Pablo/Sasha/FameFlynet, Inc.

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54 Responses to “Ben Affleck rumored to be considering Senate run, won’t comment”

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  1. caro says:

    it’s not the first time that he’s rumored to be interested by a political career:does anyone remember the rumor on his interest to go as Hollywood mayor when his career was very low several years ago?and I believe he studied political at university
    but his career is too hot actually to drop it for a political career

    • Birdix says:

      And isn’t it odd/depressing to think he can probably bring more attention to the truly dismal situation in Congo as an actor testifying than as a senator?

    • Jules. says:

      According to Wiki, he dropped out after his first semester. Just interested – are there any other senators that don’t have a college degree? Is it really bad that I want my politicians to have some type of degree to sit in such a high office?

      • Aubra says:

        Truman didn’t have one and he was Prez.

        I remember hearing a rumor a few yers back he had some paperwork filed in West virginia (where his wife is from) for a possible run…

      • MyCatLovesTV says:

        Yes! Give ’em Hell Harry! From my state of Missouri…..

  2. True..Dat says:

    I thought it was common knowledge that Affleck was very much gunning for a political career.

    He even alluded to it in the J-Lo era.

  3. caro says:

    his next movie will be a movie directed by himself
    he waits the awards before to decide and he’s the favorite of Warner Bros studio with Hardy and Dicaprio

  4. Mrs.. Ari Gold says:

    I’m not so sure because the Affleck-hate is strong: I don’t think he could ever get elected to anything because people seem to *really* not like him. I could not get a single person to see Argo with me (it’s a really entertaining movie BTW. I highly recommend it) because each and every one of them said they can’t stand him – even when I offered to pay! I don’t like him either but I still saw & loved the movie. Is he sure he can stay faithful to his wife? Because that will be quite a microscope.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      As a Massachusetts native and resident, I can tell you that the Affleck love is pretty strong here and since we would be the people electing him, I think he has a chance. No guarantees if Scott Brown runs though.A lot of people around here like Brown and the GOP typically fares better in these special election scenarios.

      If this is true, then I would have to read more about Affleck’s stance before I would vote for him. Not sure Hollywood translates well into the political arena.

      • MyCatLovesTV says:

        I used to “hate” Ted Kennedy for many, many reasons. Then I was scanning the channels and stopped on CSPAN (it was a slow day) and I listened to Senator Kennedy give a passionate speech on the Senate floor over workers’ rights. I realized then why the good people of MA kept sending him back to represent them.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        I know! I’ve always been so conflicted in the sense that I genuinely think Ted Kennedy has done some horrible things in the past.
        But I also feel like he did SO much for Massachusetts and was such a great senator in so many ways that he (almost) redeemed himself.
        I always wondered if all the good work he did for the state was him trying to make up for past transgressions….

  5. I.want.shoes says:

    I’m sure he means well but I just can’t with these celebrities who think they can do it all. Ben should stick to directing (and quit the acting, imh)- he’s actually pretty good at it.

  6. lisa2 says:

    I have been posting this for ages. Every move Ben has made is laying the path for a Political life. Jennifer is doing her part, and the kids too. He has always talked about it and even Matt said so.

    This is the reason for the character change and the family man we see. Doubt he will run now, but in a few years I see him making that run and Jennifer and the dimple kids will help a great deal. He may be waiting to see how the Award wins go. But yes he is going to be a Politician at some point. Right now he maybe seeing what the pubic reaction is and has he moved beyond his pass.

  7. Elceibeno says:

    He will be the best looking politician in Washington.

  8. andy says:

    Ben needs to have a serious talk with Arnold Schwarzenegger before running for office.

  9. momosays says:

    This Mass resident (and democrat) hopes not- there are quite a few other viable candidates I’d like to see in the running rather than a self involved slightly douchey seeming actor. I’d much prefer his “great wife” to him that’s for sure.

    • caro says:

      in what is his great “every day I call the paps to show how I am a great mother” wife interesting politically?

      • momosays says:

        None, I was being facetious in referring to her as a “great wife” in the dismissive way Ben does, but at least she does have the benefit of a generally well-liked persona in the public eye, more so than her husband. I just want someone to serve as Massachusetts senator who has a history of serving the state, from county to county and has worked in public office before so that we can see the level of ability that’s there before electing someone to one of the highest levels of politics in the country who has zero experience. In any event this may or may not even be true…I sound pretty angry right now about this lol time to have my coffee!

  10. mln76 says:

    Bad idea anyone just scratching the surface of his life will find philandering and gambling addiction. And while in the bubble of Hollywood he will be protected as long as he is discreet senate races are brutal his business will come out.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      Gambling and philandering? I think he’d fit right in with the rest of the politicians. Hell, it didn’t hurt Ted Kennedy…

      • mln76 says:

        Eh the Kennedy name and legacy got Ted on the Senate and once he was established he wasnt leaving until he died. But you have to be in Washington for decades and entrenched on committees before you get to be untouchable. The recent Mass Senate race was one of the ugliest in the country. Thinking on it further I doubt the Democratic Party would back him way too risky.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Kennedy wasn’t leaving because he was really beloved by our state’s residents. Between Kennedy and Menino Boston was transformed into a really nice city.

        Agree that his name might have gotten him in the door but believe me when I tell you he had to work hard to stay there.

        Not sure if Dems would back Affleck either. Would kind of be interesting if that happened though, especially gossip-wise 😉

  11. Elceibeno says:

    Watch out Jennifer Garner! There are plenty of tramps in Washington.

  12. Ally says:

    I fell in love with that pic of him and Violet when I saw it the other day. I don’t get the Ben hate, maybe it’s because I’m not in America.

    You only have to look at his daughers’ faces when they are with him to see who he is.

    • caro says:

      I don’t hate him,I don’t care about the rumors but I ‘m tired to see him,his wife or his family every day in some paps pics .You can see them every day in DailyMail,JustJared or X17

      • The Original Mia says:

        And you don’t see the irony between your complaints and posting multiple times on this post? Okay.

  13. Thaisajs says:

    Is he even eligible to become the next Senator of Mass.? Does he maintain a residence there? You could make a strong argument that a guy who lives in Calif. shouldn’t become the next Senator from Mass.

    • Ann says:

      He’s still seen in the Boston area. Films here frequently too.

      Hey, if Mitt Romney could get elected as Governor here after spending most of his time in Utah and coming from Michigan, Affleck would have no problem having actually grown up here.

  14. bgirl says:

    Too many skeletons in that closet. I don’t think he could survive the scandal is dirt from his early days in H-Wood were published.

  15. Feebee says:

    It’s seems a little early, he’s only 40. But if this is actually what he’s been wanting to do then why wait?

    I’m a little confused why there would be a special election. In SC, the Gov just appointed a new senator and of course there was all the drama when Obama senate seat needed to be filled by the Gov of Illinois. Why wouldn’t the Mass Gov just appoint someone? Of course that would make it harder for Affleck – can you imagine the blowback on the govenor if that happened?

    I do feel for those in the entertainment world who are serious about political matters, they get written off so easily by critics as celebrities who don’t know shit.

    • cr says:

      Gov. Patrick will appoint an interim Senator, and then there’s a special election.

    • k says:

      The governor will appoint someone who will serve as interim Senator until the special election determines the replacement for the remainder of the term. Paul Kirk served as interim senator until Brown won the seat in the special election.

    • mln76 says:

      Every state has its own constitution that determines appointments of Senators everyone above has stated in Mass the governor appoints a Senator then there is a special election.

    • Feebee says:

      Roger that. Thanks for clarification.

  16. Hannah says:

    Not gonna happen. A couple of years down the road, maybe.

  17. serena says:

    Is daughter is so adorable aww

  18. lucy2 says:

    I could see him trying it, maybe in a few years, but I’d imagine it would be tough on his family. He appears to have grown up a lot in the past few years, but an opposing campaign would drag him through the mud.

    I’m not crazy about him as an actor, but he’s become a very good director, so I hope he continues that in the meantime.

  19. Ann says:

    He actually does have other projects in the works that aren’t up on IMDB yet. He’s directing a movie called “Live by Night”, he’s working on adapting a Stephen King book for film, and is also said to be working with Matt Damon on a biopic of Whitey Bulger (love the idea of these two doing a Boston Mafia movie). That’s why he dropped out of Focus, he has too many other movie projects on deck.

    Given that, it’s highly unlikely he would plan a Senate run now. He has a lot more groundwork to lay. I don’t think he’d have a chance of beating Scott Brown in a special election right now.

    • A says:

      I would agree, except that he was “attached” but not officially signed on to several other projects and he has abandoned those in addition to that KStew film. Plus, those two projects you have mentioned have been in the works for a while…no firm start date or anything. Writing, directing, and acting in one film and writing and directing another is a hell of a lot of work, so it is possible that he is just trying to focus on those two projects. However, the fact that his rep. didn’t deny his political aspirations to Salon and other legit news organizations is weird.

      • Ann says:

        I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran later down the road – I just think it’s too soon for him. He needs to build up his cred as a serious candidiate first.

  20. FirstTimer says:

    His kids are so cute!

  21. Talie says:

    With all the skeletons in his closet?!! I don’t think so…

  22. Dee Cee says:

    Ghost daddy and husband.. I ain’t buying it now or later..

    • GiantGlohearts says:

      I was just going to say what happens after the Oscars? We wont probably see him with Jennifer or the kids till next time.

  23. Photo JoJo says:

    Every time I hear him speak on political issues – foreign or domestic – I’m so impressed with his intellect and thenpassion he has fornpublic policy, It wouldn’t shock me if he ran, and I honestly think he’d make a great Senator.

  24. Suze says:

    That child looks so much like Jen Garner it’s scary.

    I predict Ben will have a political career in the next five years. But why he would want one is beyond me.