Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich said Monday he may run for a House seat in another state if he loses his Ohio seat to redistricting next year.
The well-known liberal who has run for president twice said people across the country have been asking him to run in their states. He said he's nowhere near making a decision.
"If I am forced to move, then I certainly am going to consider moving," the eight-term congressman said in a telephone interview. "Obviously, I am only going to go where I am wanted."
He traveled recently to Washington state, which will add a new congressional seat, and plans another trip there later this month. Those stops have helped to fan speculation about a possible move.
"I have a full travel schedule and I'm certainly grateful for the support I have in other areas of the country, but I am not ready to say that I am moving anywhere," he said.
Kucinich said he expects that Republicans in control of redistricting in Ohio will target his district. The state stands to lose two House seats because of population shifts.
"This isn't my choice, though," he said. "It is being forced upon me. What I am not going to do is simply play the role of a victim to redistricting, because I don't look at life that way."
Kucinich, 64, has deep roots in his hometown of Cleveland, where he was mayor. He first ran for city council there at age 21.
"I don't have any illusions about the fact that it's difficult to move," he said. "It's difficult to start in another place. The good news is that during two presidential campaigns I got a chance to know the country," he said.
Kucinich sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2004 and 2008.