Mitt Romney's brother Scott eyeing Senate bid in Michigan

Scott Romney, brother of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, cheers during the roll call for nomination of president of the United States at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 28, 2012, during the Republican National Convention. / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages

Scott Romney, the older brother of 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is "interested and seriously looking at" a run for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, a friend of the Romney family tells CBS News.

While he's not the household name his brother is, Scott Romney has been a presence in Michigan politics for more than a decade. He sought but narrowly lost the Republican nomination for Michigan attorney general in 1998, and between 2001 and 2009 he was a member of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. He also served as a Michigan delegate at Mitt Romney's 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

He would not be the first member of the Romney family to seek a Senate seat in Michigan: his mother, former Michigan first lady Lenore Romney, staged an unsuccessful run for the Senate as the Republican candidate in 1970.

Nor would Scott Romney be the first relative of Mitt Romney whose name has been floated for public office since the 2012 election. Tagg Romney, the eldest son of Mitt and Ann Romney, was mentioned as a possible GOP candidate for John Kerry's Senate seat in Massachusetts after Kerry left to head the State Department.

Despite the buzz, he eventually took his name out of consideration, saying, "The timing is not right for me."

• Mitt Romney takes a new position at son's firm
• Longtime Sen. Levin to retire

Levin this week announced his decision to retire at the end of his term. He was first elected to the Senate in 1978 and will have served six full terms by the time he leaves office in January 2015, making him the longest-serving senator in Michigan's history. He was considered a safe bet to retain his seat if he ran again, and his decision to retire provides an opening for Republicans.

Democrats mentioned as possible candidates include former Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Rep. Gary Peters, a congressman from the Detroit suburbs.

CBS News senior political producer Caroline Horn contributed to this report.

[mrmcgurky]

Just what we need. Another "dynasty"

[RobertVBrand]

Whenever Mitt was asked about fixing something, he answered "I know how." Maybe Scott's campaign speech will be "I have a brother who knows how."

[grumpas]

Does he have a new set of dentures???? The way he is smiling, he is showing something off.

[wizardlady]

MICHIGAN FOLKS SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO SEND A FILTHY RICH REP TO THE SENATE TO REPRESENT THEM. BUT, THE SAD PART IS THE SENATE REPRESENTS ALL OF US.....SO PLEASE SEND A DEMOCRAT.....

[catmomtx]

MID, Republicans spent millions of dollars from "anonymous donors" to ensure a Romney win and failed miserably.

[omnibus66]

The Romney's, like gnats in summer, are everywhere and you can't get rid of them no matter how hard you try. Sort of like the Bush's, but with a lot more money.

[jimatmadison]

Ahh, the ugly face of elitist entitlement rises again, only with different hair.

Let me guess: He's planning on running on a platform of cutting taxes for millionaires and corporations, isn't he?

It's obvious to the GOP that Americans simply can't get enough of the 'tax breaks for dancing horses' crowd.

[nohater]

don't know a thing about him. but he looks kind of creepy in the photo here.

[venusvegasvada]

(*^&()! there's another one? God help us.

[cattiej]

ADDITION;;;;CORRECTION....If we don't get rid of these types of crooked politcans...we are going to be in for a major depression that will make the 1930's look like a picnic in the park.

[cattiej]

Another Romoney who thinks he should be King...if we, the people don't get rid of these types of crooked politicans, we are going to be in for a major Depression...We already have the have's and the have nots...even those who were middle income are not in lower income and counting lower..thousands have lost jobs to the rich CEO's and American companiews outsourcing our jobs..while the CEO's reap bigger and bigger rewards for doing so...Take Ameren Utility Company of St. Louis, they lost millions of dollars yet the CEO's was given a bonus of 9 million dollars...what did the citizens get....a raise in utility bills....We the people have GOT TO STAND UP AND PROTEST IN PERSON TO THESE COMPANIES AND THESE CROOKED POLLITICANS...ANOTHER ROMONEY WHO IS A CROOK, NO WAY...MICHIGAN CITIZENS, THROW THIS GUY OUT OF YOUR STATE..MICHIGAN IS A BEAUTIFAL STATE...WHY FOUL IT UP WITH A ROMONEY?