Congressman Richard Neal said Sunday night that he isn't interested in pursuing the United States Senate, that he isn't sure if John Kerry would join an Obama administration and that he is focused on a couple state House races in his 2nd Congressional District.

In a brief but wide-ranging phone interview with PolitickerMA.com Sunday, Neal, a Springfield Democrat, said the speculation surrounding whether Kerry would be tapped for a cabinet spot in an Obama administration is "a bit premature."

"But at the same time," Neal added, "I think that the rumor seems to be growing stronger might lend some credibility to it. I don't know for sure...Who knows, much of it is speculative."

Asked who might run in a special election for Kerry's seat should he vacate it, Neal said it is hard to say but emphasized the he is not interested.

"I'm so locked into the Ways and Means Committee," Neal said, "I really see a future there."

Neal said "the subject hasn't really come up" with other members of the congressional delegation, but if Kerry were to vacate his seat, many members could jump into the race because they wouldn't have to give up their congressional seats in an odd-year election.

Neal's remarks came on his way to a get out the vote rally in Shrewsbury with Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester), Kerry and state Senate candidate Michael Moore, a Millbury Democrat. He said he's heading to Southbridge Monday morning and will be working to get out the vote in Worcester County Tuesday.

Moore's race against Republican John Lebeaux for state Sen. Edward Augustus' 2nd Worcester seat is "probably the biggest race" in his district, Neal said. "The others seem pretty quiet."

Neal also noted, however, that he has done some work on behalf of Longmeadow Democrat Brian Ashe, who is running for Republican state Rep. Mary Rogeness' 2nd Hampden District.