Ben Affleck Says He Will Not Run for Senate

John Kerry (L) and Ben Affleck pose for a photo at the U.S. Capitol on Dec., 19, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Affleck said Thursday that he will not be a candidate in the Massachusetts Senate race to replace outgoing Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). (Kris Connor/Getty Images)

Actor Ben Affleck said Thursday that he will not be a candidate in the Massachusetts Senate race to replace outgoing Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

“I love Massachusetts and our political process, but I am not running for office,” Affleck said on his Facebook page.

There was speculation that Affleck, who is involved in charitable and political causes, might run as a Democratic challenger to Kerry’s vacant seat. Kerry was tapped to become secretary of state last week.

Affleck added, “We are about to get a great Secretary of State and there are some phenomenal candidates in Massachusetts for his Senate seat. I look forward to an amazing campaign.”

Last week, Affleck, who was raised in Massachusetts, told CBS News’s “Face the Nation” that he had “a great fondness and admiration for the political process,” which fueled speculation that he might run.

The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 20 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.