By Alabama Public Radio
Andalusia, AL – Alabama House Speaker Seth Hammett says he plans to make a decision later this year on running for governor in 2006. He says he has received encouragement to run for the Democratic nomination. Hammett will conduct polls and focus groups to determine his chances of winning a statewide race. Before making a decision, Hammett says he will also consider several factors, including whether he can raise the approximate ten to twelve million dollars it would cost to run a competitive governor's race. If he decides to skip the governor's race, Hammett says he will run for re-election to his Alabama House seat in 2006 and seek a third term as speaker. The 57-year-old Andalusia banker is a 25-year veteran of the Alabama House.