Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Monday she is not interested in becoming secretary of Commerce as President-elect Barack Obama searches for a new appointee.

Some national news organizations mentioned Sebelius as a possible replacement for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who withdrew because of a federal investigation into how some of his political donors received a lucrative state contract. Richardson has denied any wrongdoing but said the probe could disrupt the nomination process.

Last year, Sebelius was often mentioned as a possible vice presidential nominee, but Obama selected Joe Biden.

After Obama’s victory, Sebelius was mentioned as a possible Cabinet member.

But in December, she announced she was pulling herself from consideration to focus on the state budget problems.

When the 2009 session of the Kansas Legislature starts Monday, lawmakers face an immediate $140 million deficit that could grow to $1 billion.

Caught by reporters Monday at the swearing-in ceremony of State Treasurer Dennis McKinney, Sebelius said she stood by her decision to remain in Kansas.

She said addressing the state budget and family matters are keeping her here.

She had said earlier that if she had taken a job in Washington, D.C., she would have been living apart for a significant period of time from her husband, Gary Sebelius, who is a federal magistrate judge.