AT&T Michigan President Jim Murray considering U.S. Senate bid

AT&T Michigan President Jim Murray is “taking the temperature” of a possible U.S. Senate run as a Republican.

On Tuesday night, the former state House staffer sent out a tweet: "

I'm thinking about running for U.S, Senator. #ussenate #draftjim"

With U.S. Rep

already the likely candidate for Democrats, Murray on Wednesday told MLive that Republicans should "start getting their candidate together and not try to have a

divisive

primary."

And Murray said he either wants to "be the candidate or the catalyst" to make that happen.

"I've got a long way to go to decide to (do) anything about it," said Murray, who

worked in state House for 15 years as a legislative aide

Murray, 40, said Peters is "a great candidate" and

Michigan Democratic Party chair

Lon Johnson and state Democrats have done a good job clearing the field before the primary in August 2014.

"We need to get that guy or woman out there right now," Murray said of a Republican candidate.

"If they are going to stand around and have open warfare deciding who the candidate will be," they might as well "hand the election over to Gary."

Murray said the Republican Party should avoid primaries like it's had in recent years. H

e added he is not a fan of the Tea Party movement.

Murray throwing his name in the ring of potential candidates comes in the same week U.S. Rep Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said he is still deciding if he wants to run. Also this week, U.S. Rep Justin Amash said he would "fight" against an "anti-civil liberties" Republican candidate for Senate.

Murray said he didn't read Amash's tweet, but rather was drawn

to think about the race when

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said he would not run for Senate.

A Jackson native, Murray said

he is in favor lawmakers compromising to find a solution. He said this was done in the late 90s when the state was facing serious problems but a

solution

was found by lawmakers.