BOSTON — Beth Lindstrom would face a challenge in obtaining statewide name recognition and attracting campaign cash but would be a “serious candidate” in the 2018 race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Elizabeth Warren, according to a former aide to Gov. Mitt Romney.

Appearing Thursday morning on Boston Herald Radio, Ryan Williams offered his take on a potential Lindstrom candidacy, the news of which was first reported by The Boston Globe on Wednesday.

Citing people familiar with her thinking, the Globe reported Lindstrom is leaning toward running. Lindstrom, of Groton, has extensive political and policy experience due to her previous work as Lottery director under former Treasurer Joe Malone, consumer affairs chief in the Romney administration and on Scott Brown’s successful 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate, Williams said.

Williams said he expects Warren’s challengers to argue that she has not delivered enough for Massachusetts and has become more of a national figure who has not spent a great deal of time in Massachusetts communities.

But any candidate faces an “uphill battle” against Warren, an icon for many Democrats, according to Williams, who noted that polls underscore her popularity although she is not as popular as Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. In addition to working to make herself a recognizable figure, Lindstrom would “have to sell herself to donors,” according to Williams, noting national donors will have to decide which races to invest in in the 2018 election cycle.

Republicans state Rep. Geoff Diehl and Shiva Ayyadurai are running for U.S. Senate.