After Weiner Scandal, Alec Baldwin considering run for mayor

Now that Congressman Anthony Weiner appears to have sexted himself right out of mayoral contention, Alec Baldwin is thinking now might be the right time to run.

The 30 Rock star, who has long talked of political office aspirations, is mulling a run for mayor of New York City when current Mayor Michael Bloomberg's term expires in 2013, a friend of the actor told The Daily.

Alec said, 'Hey, maybe this changes the race. The dynamics have shifted, The Daily reported Baldwin's friend saying.

The Democrats need a high-profile candidate, and Alec can fill that bill.

Baldwin, a Democrat, has long considered public office, but has previously said it would be incredibly difficult to leave acting.

Yes, it's something that I am very, very interested in, Baldwin told CNN in January. People would say to me all the time, 'Why would you want to do that?' And sometimes I don't want to do it because to leave what I am doing now would be extremely painful.

Weiner, long considered by some as a front-runner for the post, admitted on Monday to sending a photo of his bulging crotch to a Seattle woman and exchanging personal photos with six other women, prompting a request for an ethics investigation.

Weiner said he will not resign his post and has not announced his intentions on whether he still plans a run for mayor.