BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) - Governor Deval Patrick is batting down chatter that he is on the short list to replace outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder.
FOX 25 Political Reporter Sharman Sacchetti caught up with the governor during a stop at Hanover Insurance in Worcester to ask him about it.
"The answer is no!" Patrick shouted after he got out of his SUV, before anyone had asked a question.
"Are you going to be the next Attorney General?" Sacchetti asked.
"No," he responded.
Patrick was joined by Congressman Jim McGovern and Lt. Governor Candidate Steve Kerrigan.
McGovern greeted Patrick, and told him of the speculation, "You'd be great."
Patrick's name surfaced immediately as a possible replacement for Holder.
When asked if he would turn the president down if asked to serve, Patrick said, "The president and I have had conversations over the years about a role in his administration and I'm proud of his administration but I've told you before I'm going to finish my term and then I'm going to go into the private sector."
Patrick would not elaborate on the details of those conversations with the president. He says his trip to Washington Thursday is just a coincidence. He says he is there for the Congressional Black Caucus and two DNC events. Will he meet at all with the President or his advisers?
"Just relax everybody. I am not going to Washington to meet with the president. I have no plans and no interest in making plans to be the next attorney general," Patrick said.
The governor is not ruling out a future run for higher office, but he says he believes he can forward the president's agenda from right here in Massachusetts.
"We're not going to see you working for this president's administration? At all?" Sacchetti asked.
"I don't anticipate that, no," Patrick responded.
