Kathleen Sebelius may challenge Kansas Republican Pat Roberts for his Senate seat in November.
Some Democrats think the former Health and Human Services secretary could pose a serious threat to Sen. Roberts, 77, who is running for a fourth term, reports the New York Times. One person spoke directly with Sebelius and told the Times it’s unclear how seriously, but she is definitely considering it.
Sebelius resigned as HHS secretary last week after months of criticism for the botched Obamacare rollout.
Prior to her appointment as HHS director, Sebelius served two terms as Governor of Kansas. In 2006, she was re-elected with 58 percent of the vote, reports the Times. However, Democrats have not held a Kansas Senate seat since 1939 and Obama received just 38 percent of the state’s vote in 2012.
Democrats told the Times she would be their best hope of winning, especially since Sen. Roberts is facing trouble in the Republican primaries from Tea Party candidate Milton Wolf.
But friends of Sebelius told the Times she’s unlikely to challenge Roberts given how personally difficult the past six or seven months have been. Roberts called for her resignation in October, despite having spoken favorably of her when she was nominated for the post. He worked for her father-in-law prior to serving in Congress.
Sebelius would have to decide by June 2.