Does John E. Sununu's rapid-fire post-Capitol Hill appointments to three corporate boards and a congressional oversight panel mean he won't run for the open U.S. Senate seat next year?.

Not necessarily, says Andrew Smith, an associate political science professor at the University of New Hampshire.

"It's not unusual for former politicians to take positions on boards because it allows them to keep their business contacts and make some money, but doesn't put them in a position of having a regular full-time job," Smith said.

"It kind of keeps them tied in to political and business circles and allows them to use their expertise and the connections they made over their years in politics."

Smith said that Sununu, at 44, "is in an unusual position because he is so young. But I wouldn't say that this in any way precludes a re-run for the Senate."

Since Judd Gregg announced last month that he won't seek re-election in 2010, several Republicans have emerged as potential candidates, including former Gov. Steve Merrill, former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass, Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta and Concord attorney Tom Rath. But Rath may have reflected the general GOP consensus when he said last month he believes Sununu should have first dibs on the seat.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes alreadyhas said that he will be a candidate and is beginning to raise money.

Smith said Sununu is under no obligation to make his intentions known anytime soon to give another candidate ample time to begin mounting a campaign.

He said any Republican who is considering running for the Senate "should be out shaking the trees now" to line up potential contributors who would write checks immediately if Sununu decides not to run.

Smith said that many former politicians who are much older than Sununu serve on boards as part of their retirements or just prior to retiring.

Sununu, because of his youth, is in a much different position, he said.