Meehan to UMass-Lowell?

The AP is reporting tonight that Congressman Marty Meehan (D-Lowell) is in talks with officials at UMass-Lowell about potentially taking the Chancellor's job. Here's the story from Boston.com:

Meehan is expected to meet with the school's search committee officials in early February, according to a source familiar with the hiring process who requested anonymity because the proceedings are confidential.

[...]

The Lowell congressman, who was elected in 1992, has previously denied having interest in the job.

It's somewhat surprising to me that Meehan would be thinking about leaving the Congress just when the Democrats have taken control. Meehan is currently the chair of the House Armed Services oversight and investigations subcommittee, which could be the scene of high-profile investigations of Iraq and Afghanistan. There have, however, been signs that Meehan has been tiring of the House of Representative, anyway, as he was openly considering a run for John Kerry's Senate seat in either 2005 (had he been elected president) or in 2008, had the Senator vacated it. Now that Kerry is seeking re-election, the Senate is off the table until at least 2012. Meehan may prefer to pass the time until then closer to home.

If Meehan did leave the Congress before his term is up in 2008, it would trigger an off-year special election. That would certainly attract many state legislators who would not have to risk their own seats for a chance to advance to Washington.

Update: The Boston Globe has the story on its front page this morning.