Scott Brown declines to be RFK Jr.’s running mate

NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers? Retired professional wrestler and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura?

Amid speculation about whom presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will choose for his running mate, one prominent name says he’s out: former senator Scott Brown.

Brown, a Republican who was elected in 2010 to represent Massachusetts, told the Globe on Friday that Kennedy offered him the role, but he declined.

“Not much to say,” Brown said in a text message. “He asked me. I respectfully declined and wished him well.”

Beyond that, Brown added, “Any conversations I had are private.” He did not say when their chat took place.

Brown, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in New Hampshire in 2014 and later served as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, would have been a relatively conventional vice presidential pick for Kennedy’s unconventional presidential campaign. Kennedy, who initially launched his campaign as a Democrat, is now running as a third-party candidate, powered by a mixture of name recognition and conspiratorial ideas. A black sheep of one of the country’s best known political dynasties, Kennedy has a long record of promoting debunked theories about vaccines. A spokesperson for the Kennedy campaign declined to comment on Brown, but noted that Kennedy is expected to announce his running mate on March 26 in Oakland, Calif. Brown’s decision to pass was first reported by conservative website the New Hampshire Journal.

In addition to Rodgers and Ventura, Kennedy has reportedly spoken about the vice presidency with former Democratic representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.

Brown has stayed active in politics and has frequently hosted backyard barbecues in Rye, N.H., for candidates seeking office, including onetime presidential contenders Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis. In September, Brown hosted Kennedy — the first Democrat to be featured at the event. Brown told reporters at the time, “I’ve never had a crowd like this, ever.” Brown also performs regularly with his band, Scott Brown and the Diplomats, including at political events and fund-raisers.