By Edward Mason - The Boston Herald

Finishing out of the money doesn’t mean the losers in yesterday’s Democratic and Republican primaries are finished, as they could use their newly minted name recognition and statewide organizations to run for one of several prized political offices up for grabs in November.

Indeed, Massachusetts boasts a long history of failed first-time candidates who used a loss as a springboard for a victorious second run. Two candidates who ran unsuccessfully for the seat once held by U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Republicans Joe Malone and Mitt Romney, went on to win their next campaigns - Malone as treasurer and Romney as governor.

Likewise, Republican William Weld was on the losing end of one of the most lopsided races in state history, the 1978 campaign for attorney general, and came back to win the Corner Office in 1990.

“It wouldn’t be hard to see (any) of them run again,” agreed Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic consultant. “The question is for what, and the next opportunity is right around the corner.”

Among the opportunities:

• Treasurer Timothy Cahill is pursuing the Corner Office, leaving the door wide open on a gig coveted by upwardly mobile politicians. The Democratic field already has two contenders, former national Democratic Party chief and Somerville businessman Steve Grossman and Norfolk County Treasurer Joe Connolly.

• Auditor Joseph DeNucci’s decision not to seek re-election created yet another open statewide seat, albeit one that typically attracts Beacon Hill insiders. The only declared candidate is Republican Mary Connaughton, a former Turnpike board member and Herald guest blogger.

• While the governor’s race is crowded, should any of the candidates step aside - or be perceived as vulnerable to a challenge within his own party - it could entice one or more of the Senate also-rans to throw their hats into the ring.

• And finally, there’s the attorney general’s seat, should Democratic primary winner Martha Coakley go on to victory in next month’s final election. State Reps. Charles Murphy and Peter Koutoujian already are jockeying for an interim appointment, while Norfolk District Attorney William Keating has expressed interest in running in the fall election.