2007: Ben Chandler not running

Tom Loftus at the C-J reports:

U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler is “unlikely” to run for governor and will announce his decision either Monday or Tuesday, his spokeswoman said.

“He could announce his decision today, but I think it would be tomorrow at the latest,” said Jennifer Spalding, spokeswoman for Chandler’s office.

Chandler, a Democrat who was re-elected to the Kentucky’s 6th District Congressional seat Nov. 7, is considered by many Democrats to be their party’s strongest potential candidate for governor in 2007.

But Chandler said last month that he would not be inclined to run for governor in 2007 if the Democrats took control of the U.S. House as a result of this year’s elections — which they did.

So that paves the way for Treasurer Jonathan Miller to become the next Governor of Kentucky if he decides to run.