Scott Brown hints at NH Senate run

Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) raised eyebrows Tuesday with an op-ed critical of ObamaCare that seems to indicate he’s seriously considering a Senate run.

Brown used a Fox News op-ed to criticize Democrats broadly for “hypocrisy” on ObamaCare, while singling out one state in particular: New Hampshire.

{mosads}”In New Hampshire, only 16 of the state’s 26 hospitals are available on the federal exchange, meaning patients must either pay more to keep their current doctor or seek inferior care elsewhere,” Brown wrote.

“New Hampshire is not alone,” he added. “Across the country, some of the best hospitals are not available on plans on the exchange, leaving patients with difficult choices and unwanted sometimes, life threatening decisions.”

Brown has not yet announced his plans for 2014, but he’s campaigned for candidates and headlined fundraisers in New Hampshire over the past few months, prompting speculation that he’s setting himself up for a run against Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

New Hampshire news outlet WMUR reported Tuesday that Brown will keynote the New Hampshire GOP Holiday Reception on Dec. 19.

Republicans believe Shaheen is vulnerable in 2014, particularly to attacks on ObamaCare, but the party has yet to front a strong candidate to challenge her. Three Republicans have entered the primary, but none are considered top-tier recruits.

Most Republicans see Brown as the candidate who could make the race competitive for the GOP.

But the former Massachusetts senator also hasn’t ruled out a run for Senate in his home state, and visits to Iowa have prompted speculation that he might in fact be preparing for a presidential bid.

Still, the op-ed is another move that appears to point in the direction of a Senate bid.

Brown closed the piece with a warning to Democratic senators for 2014.

“Not only is President Obama to blame here, so too are every single one of the Democratic senators who forced this fiasco on the American people,” he wrote.

“The president is not going to face voters again, but his congressional enablers and supporters will in less than a year. When they do, it’s going to be an unpleasant experience for any incumbent having to explain their deciding vote and continued support for the ongoing disaster of ObamaCare.”