Kolbe considers running for Arizona governor

Rep. Jim Kolbe, the only openly gay Republican in Congress, is considering running for governor in his home state of Arizona in 2002, Roll Call reports. “I’ve had some people suggest it, so I’m exploring whether it’s doable or not,” Kolbe said. The current governor, Republican Jane Dee Hull, is barred from running for reelection because of term limits. Kolbe could face a challenge from former representative Matt Salmon in the Republican primary but says that won’t stop him from running. “Just because Matt’s in the race wouldn’t keep me out of it,” he said. “That wouldn’t deter me. There would clearly be some differences on policy.”