Text of Stovall’s statement

? The text of Attorney General Carla Stovall’s statement Monday:

This statement I want to read to you is longer than normal for one of my press conferences. But this is not a normal time. Please bear with me as I think my prepared statement will answer most all of your questions.

I would like to begin by setting out relevant chronology. In December 2000, as you know, I announced that I would not be seeking re-election to the Attorney General’s office or election to any other office. I had loved my seven years here but was looking forward to pursuing a personal and professional life outside the public arena.

On September 11th, however, the world changed. I began to wonder if, because of the tremendous support I have enjoyed among Kansas voters, I had an obligation to reconsider running for Governor. The polling we undertook in October confirmed what many had told me for several years if I ran for Governor I would be elected. Caught up in a renewed sense of obligation to serve my fellow citizens after our national tragedy, and encouraged by scores of Kansans, I entered the race.

Almost immediately, however, it became clear to me that I had misjudged the level of commitment I had to making the race and to serving once elected. I tried to exit the race in January but was persuaded that it was my responsibility to stay the course.

As the weeks and months progressed I realized that I simply could not stay the course no matter how hard I tried. I could not muster the passion to run statewide for the third time nor could I envision pleasure in service as Governor. I discovered the correct political decision in September was absolutely the wrong personal choice for me.

I wanted to make this decision public before I left for Ukraine but was persuaded to wait until my return. That delay and the inevitable leaks resulted in days of speculation in my absence and I regret the nonsense that I understand occurred.

All that said here is what you came for. I am not going to file the papers which would put my name on the ballot for the office of Governor of the state of Kansas and I should no longer be considered a candidate. I simply do not have the passion required to run and to serve.

I am profoundly grateful for the tireless and enthusiastic support that the people of Kansas have offered to me in both my AG races and in this campaign. I do sincerely regret the disappointment this decision will cause but I am not presumptuous enough to believe that life in Kansas, as we know it, will be altered because of my announcement. Far from it! In fact, seeing last week the abject poverty that so many families in villages across the Ukraine exist in spending their entire lives just scrounging for enough to eat puts my decision in perspective.

I know there are those who are expressing interest in getting into the race now that I’m leaving it. I will unequivocally support Kent Glasscock if he chooses to run and I strongly encourage him to do so. He has had the passion to run for and be Governor for years now and he would absolutely be the best choice Kansans could make. I will help him in any and every way that I can and I encourage my supporters to help him too. His legislative and business experience gives him the credentials that are so necessary to serve as Governor in the very difficult times ahead.

I have been made aware that my personal life has been the subject of many news stories recently and I want to address that too. It is definitely true and I am in a significant and serious relationship with Larry Steckline and have been for several months. But I am not getting out of the race because of the relationship I am getting out of the race because I am not sufficiently committed to it.

If I were fourth or fifth in the polls and exited the race saying, “I don’t have the passion” my explanation would be questioned. Because I am the front-runner and almost assured of being elected, I hope Kansans realize how genuine I am in exiting the race because I don’t have the passion.

Kansans deserve a Governor who truly wants to be governor more than anything else. That is a commitment and dedication they deserve and I simply do not possess it. I had it for the entire time I have had the privilege of serving as Kansas Attorney General and I will count my time in office as among the best in my professional life.

I will always be grateful that Kansans allowed me the privilege of serving as the state’s chief lawyer and chief law enforcement officer for eight years. I look forward to serving out the remaining months of my term with commitment and energy.

In fact, Wednesday, I will make the presentation to the Kansas Supreme Court regarding the reapportionment map for the Kansas House of Representatives and on both Wednesday and Thursday will convene and preside over my 5th annual Crime Victims Conference.

Thank you.