Barack Obama and Kathleen Sebelius

Topeka ? President Barack Obama wants Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be secretary of health and human services, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

Unnamed advisers to Obama described Sebelius as “the leading candidate” and said no other names had been mentioned, the Times said. CNN, quoting unnamed senior administration officials, said Sebelius was a leading contender but that other names were in the mix.

Both reports stressed that no final decision had been made, but they continued to fuel speculation that Sebelius would leave Kansas to serve in Obama’s administration.

Over the summer, she was frequently mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate.

After Obama’s election, Sebelius, in her second term as governor, was often mentioned for various Cabinet posts.

But she took herself out of consideration in December, saying that she wanted to focus on the state’s budget problems.

When Obama’s first pick for health and human services — former Sen. Tom Daschle — withdrew from consideration for his failure to pay $128,000 in taxes, the talk about Sebelius getting picked started again.

In recent days, Sebelius has refused to speculate when asked by reporters.

On Wednesday, her spokeswoman Beth Martino said, “As evidenced by the last few days, the governor remains focused on the budget and the economic challenges in our state.”

Sebelius and Republican legislative leaders had been locked in a high-stakes budget impasse that they resolved Tuesday. Sebelius signed into law a deficit-reduction bill that totaled $300 million for the current fiscal year, and GOP leaders agreed to intergovernmental fund transfers to pay off income tax refunds and ensure state employees were paid on time. Kansas still faces a revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Despite the partisan brawling over the budget, Sebelius has a reputation of being able to reach out to Republicans, who control the Legislature.

Sebelius was elected governor in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. Prior to that, she served as state insurance commissioner for eight years and was a state House member before that.

In the state Senate on Wednesday, Democratic allies of Sebelius said they didn’t know what the governor’s plans were.

“I think she would be a good health and human services secretary. Her experience as a legislator, a governor and insurance commissioner all give her breadth and depth in understanding of the issues,” state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, said.

Other names mentioned for HHS include Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen; former Sen. Bill Bradley; and former Clinton chief of staff John Podesta.

If Sebelius were to leave, that would make Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson the governor. Parkinson, a former state Republican Party chairman who switched parties to run with Sebelius, has already said he doesn’t plan to run for governor in 2010.

State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, said he thought Parkinson would be able to “step in, take control and bring it home.”

Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, also voiced confidence in Parkinson, but added, “It’s a huge difference in being lieutenant governor of this state and being governor.”