Former Auditor Crit Luallen says she will not challenge Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in 2014.Luallen has long been considered to be among the best-situated Democrats to unseat McConnell. She served two terms as auditor and many political observers credit her with raising the office's profile during her tenure. Luallen also served in former Governor Paul Patton's administration for several years.But the long-time public servant tells Kentucky Public Radio she will not enter the 2014 race.“No, I’ve stated repeatedly in the last several months when I’ve been asked that the U.S. Senate race is not my interest. My real background experience, where I believe I can make the most difference is state policy and state leadership. So if I run again I’m looking toward the governor’s race," she says.Also rumored to be interested in the 2015 governor’s race is Attorney General Jack Conway, a good friend of Luallen’s. The former auditor says the two would never face off in a primary. Instead, the two will discuss their plans sometime in the future.“Jack worked for me for 7 years in the governor’s office, I’m the godmother to his daughter, and we are very close." says Luallen. "We will be talking together and thinking this through together and there will never come a time when we’re not supporting each other."Luallen says any talk of a shared ticket with Conway is "premature."
