Lou Dobbs weighs Senate run in N.J.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs is seriously considering running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey as “an intermediary step” that could lead to a run for the White House.

Dobbs told former Sen. Fred Thompson’s radio program on Monday that he had been urged to run for president and would talk to some people about it.

His spokesman is playing down the idea. Robert Dilenschneider tells The New York Times Wednesday a run for president is a “long way off.” The spokesman says there would have to be an “intermediary step,” such as the seat held by Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat.

Menendez is the Senate’s only Hispanic member and a strong advocate for immigrant rights. He’s up for re-election in 2012.

Dobbs, who owns a farm in rural northwest New Jersey, has criticized immigration policies.

Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com