LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Democrat Crit Luallen met with political consultants and put together a plan to raise money and assemble a campaign team for a possible run for governor in 2015. But the former state auditor backed away from the race on Thursday, saying she chose family time over politics.
“It was tough for me to walk away from this, because I did feel like I was prepared,” Luallen, 61, said in an interview. “But you have to make tough decisions in life, and I made one that I think is in the best interest of my family and myself.”
Luallen was mentioned prominently as a potential candidate in what looms as a wide-open race to succeed Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.
Kentucky governors are limited to two terms, and Beshear is in his second.
Luallen worked for several governors dating back to the 1970s, and rose through the ranks to become secretary of the executive cabinet in then-Gov. Paul Patton’s administration.
But the lure of spending time with her husband, Lynn, and the rest of their family won out as she pondered a run for the job herself, she said.
Luallen’s decision removes one potentially formidable candidate in what could be a hard-fought Democratic primary. Potential candidates include Attorney General Jack Conway, current state Auditor Adam Edelen and former Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo.
Edelen said Luallen’s decision not to run affects his own. He said he won’t make any political announcements until after his office concludes its review of the Jefferson County public school system. That review is expected to wrap up next month.
Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo has urged Democrats to delay entering the governor’s race until after the November elections.
Democratic frontrunner Alison Lundergan Grimes is making a strong bid to win the seat of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Democrats are trying to keep control of the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Luallen said it’s probably impractical for candidates to wait until November to enter the governor’s race because of the need to raise campaign money.
“Even if they announce, they need to stay committed to helping the legislative candidates and Alison Lundergan Grimes,” she said.
Former Louisville councilman Hal Heiner has entered the Republican race for governor. Other potential GOP candidates include state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Louisville businesswoman Cathy Bailey.
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Associated Press Writer Adam Beam reported from Frankfort, Ky.
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