Former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Bevin has remained politically active since losing to incumbent Mitch McConnell in the May primary.In an unexpected e-mail blast earlier this month, Bevin demanded Democratic Governor Steve Beshear speak out against the Environmental Protection Agency's new carbon regulations.Recently, Bevin has been spotted at a few fundraisers for state legislative candidates and voiced support for others.That has led to speculation that Bevin is thinking about jumping into the 2015 gubernatorial contest.When asked about the race, a Bevin spokeswoman didn't disqualify his interest in running for Kentucky governor."We've been flooded with emails and phone calls from folks asking him to consider running," said Bevin spokeswoman Sarah Durand. "But right now Matt is enjoying the summer with his family, and is focused on his responsibilities to his employees."As a small business owner and father of nine children, Matt has no lack of things to keep him busy that don't involve thinking about a race that's a year away."Bevin's Senate campaign wasmarked by missteps.In the May primary, he received 35 percent of the vote to 60 percent for McConnell, despite theincumbent's low approval ratings.Bevin won just two of Kentucky's 120 counties.Sources close to Bevin told WFPL he's unlikely to enter the 2015 gubernatorial contest. One source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Bevin's "sights are on the Senate" in 2016 if the Kentucky legislature doesn't allow Senator Rand Paul to simultaneously run for re-election and president.Former Louisville Councilman Hal Heiner announced his candidacy for governor earlier this year, and is the only Republican in the race so far.Other potential GOP candidates include Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Cathy Bailey, former U.S. ambassador to Latvia.Bevin has yet to endorse McConnell in the general election against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes.
