Posted on Wed, Jun. 10, 2009

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Kansas Treasurer Dennis McKinney probably won't run for governor

Associated Press

LAWRENCE - State Treasurer Dennis McKinney says it's highly unlikely he will run for governor next year.

Many Democrats saw McKinney, former House minority leader, as a likely gubernatorial candidate. But on Monday, he ended that speculation.

"I'm about 90 to 95 percent sure right now I'll be running for state treasurer," he said.

McKinney was appointed to the job by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in January when Lynn Jenkins went to Congress after her November win in the 2nd District.

Gov. Mark Parkinson, who replaced Sebelius after she resigned in April to become U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, isn't running for the office, creating an open seat Democrats would like to fill.

McKinney said the Democratic candidate field could emerge this summer.

" (Democrats) will look for a candidate with good business sense and someone who can bring together people from both sides of the aisle," McKinney said.

On the Republican side, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback and Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh are vying for their party's nomination in the August primary.

McKinney also said Monday that public schools and higher education could be hit hard by more budget cuts in coming months. Parkinson has said he may make additional spending cuts to offset lagging revenue in the state budget that starts July 1. But he said he will consult with legislative leaders before deciding where to make the cuts.

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