Maybe no cabinet for Kitzhaber, but what about governor?

Speculation over former Gov. John Kitzhaber being appointed to president-elect Barack Obama's administration barely had enough time to die down on Wednesday before the Associated Press, KATU, and Willamette Week began questioning whether Kitzhaber might be thinking about another run for the state’s chief executive.

Kitzhaber said Tuesday that he believed it was unlikely he would be chosen for a position in Obama’s cabinet. He said he had not been asked to fill out Obama’s lengthy questionnaire that prospective cabinet members have to complete.

He added that he would be reluctant to leave the state for long periods of time to serve in a cabinet position because his eleven-year-old son is in Oregon. However, that wouldn't be an issue if Kitzhaber ran for governor again.

The AP’s Brad Cain reported that Kitzhaber avoided questions on his political future.

The 2010 governor race is shaping up to be a crowded race on the Democratic side. Only outgoing Secretary of State Bill Bradbury has officially said he is interested in the position. Rumors have abounded that Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) may be interested, former U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick also has not ruled out a run. State Sens. Peter Courtney (D-Salem) and Mark Haas (D-Washington County) have also been popping up as potential candidates.

The Republican side of the governor’s race is equally as wide open. There is speculation that Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) is interested in the position, as well as State Sen. Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point). Former State Treasurer candidate Allen Alley has also expressed interest in pursuing a larger political future, which could involve a run for governor.  Outgoing U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) has been popping up on the short list of potential gubernatorial candidates, but Smith did not delve into his political future at a press conference shortly after his loss to U.S. Senator-elect Jeff Merkley (D-Portland).