Topeka ? Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer is letting his fellow moderate Republicans know quickly whether he will run for governor.

The state’s longest-serving lieutenant governor, Sherrer had said last week he was considering entering the race as speculation grew that Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall would drop out. Stovall ended her campaign Monday and urged her running mate, House Speaker Kent Glasscock, to seek the Republican nomination.

Sherrer has scheduled a “media availability” at 11:30 a.m. today in the Statehouse. In announcing the event Tuesday, he gave no hint of his plans.

Sherrer decided last year against running for governor and joined many GOP moderates in endorsing Stovall, whom many in the party considered the leading contender.

In the GOP race already are Wichita Mayor Bob Knight, who has avoided ideological labels; State Treasurer Tim Shallenburger, considered the conservatives’ preferred candidate; and Dan Bloom, a former Eudora schools superintendent, who filed papers Monday.

Senate President Dave Kerr said he would settle on his plans after the Legislature adjourned in May.

Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius is the only declared Democratic candidate seeking to succeed Gov. Bill Graves.

Graves appointed Sherrer, 61, lieutenant governor in 1996, and Sherrer ran on Graves’ re-election ticket in 1998.