Crit Luallen says if she runs statewide again it 'would be for governor'

As two-term state Auditor Crit Luallen finishes up her tenure this week, she already is being courted by her fellow Democrats to prepare to run for something else, such as U.S. Senate. But Luallen has her eye on a different office.

“At this stage in my career, I think the next race for me if I decide to run for statewide race would be for governor,” Luallen said (4:30 of the interview). “It would be difficult for me to do the work that I have done and attain the stature that I have attained over the last eight years and not feel like I was moving up.”

Luallen didn’t close the door on running for U.S. Senate in 2014 against U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, but she made it clear that she was looking more at the 2015 governor’s race.

“My real skills and abilities are at the state level … I really have more background and experience and ability in dealing with state policy and state budget matters,” Luallen said (3:30).

Luallen said she still hasn’t made a decision about her political future but will decide her intentions — specifically about running in that the U.S. Senate race — before the end of 2012. (2:00)

But she said the gridlock in Washington — and McConnell’s role in that as a member of leadership — provides “an opportunity for an opponent who has strength and credentials.”

Find out what Luallen, who served as secretary of the cabinet for Kentucky’s last two-term governor (Paul Patton), says about her expectations for Gov. Steve Beshear’s second term (5:00 of the video).

Luallen finished up her tenure as auditor with one final special audit. Her office’s review of Louisville’s Metropolitan Sewer District made 150 recommendations and found more than two dozen findings of inefficiencies or shortcomings of oversight.

She said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has taken the right steps — first by calling for the audit then by replacing MSD’s director and calling for board members’ resignations.

“He has been very proactive in his response and I think MSD will be really on a road to really strengthen its accountability,” Luallen said (1:00 in the interview).

Find out how Luallen said the audit compared to some of her past special investigations (1:30 in the video).