After outlining goals to improve Kentucky, Luallen says she's still mulling run for governor

Crit Luallen listed the challenges facing Kentucky and her goals to improve the state while also leaving the door open for a possible 2015 gubernatorial run.

Luallen, former state auditor, delivered the keynote address to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in Louisville on Tuesday evening. Her speech incorporated many of the topics the chamber had been learning about in their sessions, including higher education.

“After more than three decades in the public arena. I’ve seen that Kentucky too often takes two steps forward and three steps back. Failing to create a sustained commitment to progress,” Luallen said, pointing to higher education.

Luallen offered the crowd a message of public and private accountability for the Commonwealth to improve.

“To meet the challenges ahead you should demand accountability, strength, and vision from all of our public leaders, but you must offer them your strength and vision as well. All of us must be accountable,” Luallen said.

While Luallen closed the door to a run for U.S. Senate she laid the ground work for a possible gubernatorial run.

“If I run again I’m leaning towards a Governor’s race, not a U.S. Senate race. My skills and experience and background are all in state government. I have more experience frankly than anyone who has ever run for this office,” Luallen said.

The former auditor also responded to recent news from the Hearld Leader that Gov. Beshear will hold a private fundraiser for his daughter-in-law at the Governor’s Mansion.

“I think it would have been much preferable if he had done that in his private residence rather than raise questions about the use of a state facility to benefit his family,” Luallen said. “I think we have to be very careful about using public assets that would result in personal gain.”