Mass. Republican group wants Romney… vs. Kerry

A group called Massachusetts Republicans for Truth said Wednesday that state and national Republicans should unite behind Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for Senate.

“Though we admire former Governor Mitt Romney for his spirit and articulation of the issues that so many of us champion, it is time for him to exit this race and focus his determination and wallet on the Massachusetts Senate seat presently held by John F. Kerry,” the e-mail read.

{mosads}The group has long been critical of Romney in the state.

The letter said a Romney run against Kerry would make the former governor a “GOP hero…and free up current Senate candidates Jeff Beatty and Jim Ogonowski to challenge Democrats William Delahunt and Niki Tsongas in rematches for their congressional seats.”

The group is conducting polls on its website to gauge interest in a Romney Senate run.

The Romney campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Romney lost a Senate race against Sen. Edward Kennedy in 1994.