POLITICO – Kathleen Matthews, Marriott International’s executive vice president and chief global-communications and public affairs officer, and wife of MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, is planning to run for the seat of Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), following his announcement yesterday that he’ll seek the seat being vacated by Sen. Barbara Mikulski. A longtime resident of Chevy Chase, Matthews was a popular longtime anchor for WJLA ABC7, then-owned by the family of Politico Publisher Robert Allbritton. Matthews, currently abroad on business, has begun talking to Democratic activists and interviewing potential consultants.

Matthews, who has long talked about running for office, advocated Marriott’s move toward more progressive policies, including sustainability and LGBT friendliness. She pushed the company to open a hotel in Haiti after the earthquake – Bill Clinton attended the opening last month. A top consultant told us: “Her successful career in local television plus her work for one of the region’s most respected employers definitely gives her a strong background to be a strong voice.” She’s on the boards of Catholic Charities Foundation, Ford’s Theatre and Shakespeare Theatre Company.