Rehberg considers another Senate run

HELENA — Former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg isn't ruling out a run for the Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

The Republican is coming off a bruising loss last year to Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. But an open Senate seat could entice Rehberg to run again in 2014.

Rehberg said Thursday he has been receiving encouragement to take a serious look at the race.

He wrote in a brief email to The Associated Press that he owes it to his supporters to "to keep listening and see how things develop."

Rehberg is a co-chairman of the Washington-based public-strategy firm Mercury/Clark & Weinstock.

Others considering a run include freshman U.S. Rep. Steve Daines, a Republican who replaced Rehberg in Congress, and former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.