Driscoll 'at Peace' With Decision Not to Run

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said she is "at peace," with her decision not to run for U.S. Senate.

She Tuesday morning.

Driscoll was among a handful of Democrats a potential candidacy to challenge Sen. Scott Brown next year.

But Driscoll said she didn't think she would be able to be an effective leader for Salem while running for Senate.

"There's a lot happening here," Driscoll said, noting major projects in the City including plans for a new parking garage at , , and the . "I didn't think I'd be able to split myself."

Before making her decision, Driscoll sought counsel from a number of people, including Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino.

"Menino said, 'see how you like going around the state and see how you feel,'" Driscoll said. "I took the advice."

Driscoll said the response to her possible run was "pretty positive." Although she is "frustrated" with politics in Washington, Driscoll said she is "passionate about Salem."

While she is hopeful a Democrat can win the November 2012 election against Brown, "It's going to take a different kind of candidate," the mayor said.

Driscoll said she doesn't recall how she came to be considered a possible candidate for Senate.

"I don't know how it got rolling," she explained. "It felt like it went from zero to 60 in a very short period."

The , Driscoll is in the second year of her second term in office. She would be eligible to run for re-election in 2013.