Sebelius mum on future of former chief of staff

? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius wouldn’t say Tuesday whether her former chief of staff will run her campaign for re-election next year.

Joyce Allegrucci left her job leading Sebelius’ staff Friday, saying she wanted to take time off after more than two years of long hours.

That led to speculation that Allegrucci would run the Democratic governor’s campaign next year. The two are longtime friends, and Allegrucci ran Sebelius’ campaign in 2002.

Asked about the possibility, Sebelius told reporters: “Joyce is now taking a little time off, and we’ll talk about what’s in the future, in the future.”

Allegrucci’s husband, Donald, is a Kansas Supreme Court justice, and both faced criticism because she worked for Sebelius. But she said her departure had nothing to do with conservative Republicans’ complaints that her position created a conflict of interest for her husband as the court considered a school finance lawsuit.