The Associated Press | June 21, 2009

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The mayor of Oklahoma's second-largest city may not be running for re-election but she hasn't ruled out a bid for another elective office or accepting a public appointment.

"I'm not really thinking about it now, but I'm leaving myself open," Kathy Taylor told the Tulsa World on Friday.

Taylor on June 4 announced she would not seek another term, saying she is a business woman, not a politician, and pointing to what she called "partisan politics" playing out between her and the City Council.

After her term ends Dec. 7, she said she has definite plans for a vacation with her husband, Bill Lobeck, to drive Route 66.

"Then in January, I'm going to decide what I'm going to do," she said. "I'm not going to retire."

In 2010, most statewide elected offices, including governor, are up for vote.

Voters also will decide the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Tom Coburn and the First Congressional District seat held by Republican John Sullivan, who recently admitted himself into rehab for alcohol addiction.

The day after her announcement, an advertisement that aired on television and radio further spread her message that she was bowing out of the mayoral run. It also touted her accomplishments, sparking speculation that her political career may not be over.

Taylor paid for the ad from her own pocket. She said she is returning to donors campaign funds raised for her 2009 mayoral re-election bid, which she kicked off in February.

Taylor also has denied that she was approached by the Obama administration before her announcement about a possible appointed post.

Tulsa County Democratic Party Chairman Jack Boyte said Taylor is well respected within the party and would likely be able to win any seat she seeks.

"My gut feeling is that she is very popular among the voters in Tulsa County, and my guess is that her reputation extends much further than the boundaries of our city limits," he said. "She'd be a strong, viable candidate."

Todd Goodman, Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman, said Taylor has proven her dedication to moving Oklahoma forward, both as secretary of Commerce and Tourism, and as mayor of Tulsa.

After her term ends, Taylor said she would like to find a platform to continue efforts to reduce the school dropout rate through mentoring and entrepreneurship as those issues affect women.

"I've been looking at how to adapt the mentoring program I developed to impact teenage pregnancy and women incarceration rates," Taylor said.

"I'm going to be looking for a way to push those agenda items forward."