Washington ? A month after saying he would not run for Kansas governor next year, Rep. Jerry Moran said Monday he was reconsidering that decision.

The Republican said dozens of supporters and party officials had urged him to run, and he rejected any suggestion that reconsidering makes him appear indecisive.

“A number of people – Kansans in my town hall meetings, party officials, state legislators, members of the congressional delegation – have encouraged me to make a different decision,” Moran said. “All I’ve done at this point is tell those folks that I’ll take a look, I’ll consider the option of running for governor.”

Many Republicans see Moran, the 1st District congressman from Hays, as the strongest potential challenger for Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who is expected to seek re-election.

Moran, 51, would not give a timetable but said he would decide “within a short period of time.” The only announced candidate for the GOP nomination so far is House Speaker Doug Mays, of Topeka.

Last month, Moran’s chief of staff, Travis Murphy, told The Associated Press the congressman had decided to seek a sixth term in the House after consulting with his wife and two daughters.

But GOP Chairman Tim Shallenburger said Monday that Moran had been more ambivalent in private conversations. Shallenburger said Moran told him he planned to run for re-election, but that it was always possible he could change his mind – he simply didn’t want to stand in the way of other potential Republicans interested in the governor’s race.

Others mentioned as potential Republican candidates are Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, of Independence, and former House Speaker Robin Jennison, from Healy, although Jennison has said his plans are on hold until Moran decides.

State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, of Topeka, said Monday that she would seek a second term as treasurer. She said family reasons were keeping her from running for governor. Her announcement came less than a week after Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, also from Topeka, announced he wouldn’t run for governor due to family considerations.