By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Democratic House Speaker Seth Hammett says he expects to make a decision by next summer on whether he will run for governor in 2010. He made the comments at a news conference Friday.
Republican Governor Bob Riley is serving his second term and can't run for re-election in 2010.
The 60-year-old Hammett of Andalusia has been in the House for 28 years and is serving his third term as speaker. Hammett considered running for governor in 2006 but he announced in July 2004 that he would not run for the office.
Others mentioned as possible Democratic candidates for governor include Congressman Artur Davis, Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks and Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom Junior, a former governor.
Some possible Republican candidates include Attorney General Troy King, former lieutenant governor candidate Luther Strange and House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, who is also chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)