Ranks of potential Scott Brown challengers swell

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Warren upset a sitting state representative, Ruth Balser, to win the Newton mayor’s race in November 2009. He was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2010, and has worked since then to cultivate the image of an engaged chief executive.

Asked earlier this month about Patrick including him in a list of potential Senate candidates, Warren told the Globe: “I consider the governor a friend, and I’m honored he thinks highly of me. But as I said before, I’m remaining focused on the issues that effect Newton.”

Just two weeks later, after Patrick branded him a surefire candidate in a national publication, Warren was handed a live grenade.

“I am considering a run against Senator Brown,” the mayor said in a statement yesterday. “I have been disappointed by many of his votes, which I believe have hurt many cities and towns in Massachusetts, including my own community of Newton.”

He said he had yet to make a final decision, “but in the final analysis, if I believe I can do a better job for Massachusetts, I’ll put my name on the ballot.”

Driscoll was similarly left scrambling. She was out on the hustings last night, attending a fundraiser in Worcester and a women’s event in Easthampton. Those are far from the Witch City, underscoring her possible interest in a Senate race, but Driscoll is also a deliberative politician and confessed she was not ready to commit to a race — at least publicly.

“I’m looking at it. I’m trying to understand all the twists and turns. I’m trying to understand the potential impact on my family,” she said in a phone call from the road.

Other potential Brown challengers include two Democratic members of the state’s Congressional delegation — Reps. Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch. 

Despite a favorable dynamic for Democrats in 2012, given a presidential year in an overwhelmingly Democratic state, challengers aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to take on Brown. The Republican’s approval ratings are solid and he’s sitting on a $7 million war chest. 

While national Democrats insist Brown can be beaten in 2012 and are already identifying him as a top target, Boston Mayor Tom Menino is one Democrat who has poured cold water on the prospect of a Brown challenge. Menino recently proclaimed that “nobody” could defeat Brown in 2012.