Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican who recently moved to New Hampshire from Massachusetts, said Friday he has formed a committee to explore running for U.S. Senate in his new home state, posing a challenge to first-term incumbent Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.
Brown notified executives at Fox News Channel that he intends to form an exploratory committee to enter New Hampshire's Senate race. Fox issued a statement explaining the decision to terminate its relationship with Brown, who signed a contract a month ago to serve as a paid political contributor.
Bill Shine, executive vice president of programming, said Brown's paid contributor contract was terminated on Friday after he notified Fox "of his intention to form an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire."
The race would put another state in play for the GOP. Republicans are mounting serious challenges to Democratic incumbents in nine states, and polls have GOP candidates leading in three other states where Democrats are retiring, The Washington Post reported.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee attacked Brown's latest step.
"If this exploratory committee is anything more than another publicity stunt he'll have a tough time convincing New Hampshire voters that he cares about anyone other than himself," the committee told ABC News.
Brown roiled Massachusetts Republicans last year after hinting he'd run in that state's special Senate election and then failing to do so. He has since moved to New Hampshire.
Brown's former Republican Senate colleagues cheered the prospect of his return to Washington.
"I'm always a great admirer of Scott," Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain told ABC News. "He’s a great friend and I hope he runs."
Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker agreed, calling him an "outstanding candidate."
"I loved serving with him while he was here," he told ABC News. "He's a guy that needs to be in public service."
Brown won the 2010 special election to replace the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, but he was beat in his first re-election test against Elizabeth Warren in 2012.
Information from Bloomberg and The Associated Press were used in this report.