♪ Last week.

We brought you more than a dozen stories from Somerset and the surrounding Lake, Cumberland area.

And that included a part of an interview with Somerset Mayor Alan Keck.

So you may recall ran in the GOP primary for governor in 2023.

We only garnered 2% of the votes and that race 2 years ago I asked the 2 term mayor about his future political aspirations.

And if we might see him on the state stage again, here's what he had to say as we continue our on the road coverage from Somerset.

Well, it's always humbling and flattering.

When folks ask staff, I think.

>> In spite of what I felt like was a disappointment at the ballot box, if you will.

You know, people compliment my debates in my interviews in the way we campaign and are they can't game plan or messaging.

>> And I said, heck, I was good at all the stuff except getting votes.

I was pretty calm in that part.

But I do think we we moved the needle.

I think the discussion got more substantive and that's something that's important to me because Kentucky still has a lot of problems.

You know, we've got a Senate race that everybody's talking about right now and you know, right now, I think the focus is on, you know, who likes Senator McConnell, the waste and President Trump the most.

I want to talk about what could move Kentucky forward.

I recognize that, you know, identity politics and we have to do certain things that are important the moment.

But whatever I do next is going to be built on substance.

It's going to be focused on lives and livelihoods like we have here.

What race that will be.

I don't know.

I do intend to seek higher office someday.

It might be after a break into the private sector.

You know, I'm still businessman at heart.

Sure.

I don't.

I don't know like a lot of people in government.

I don't need to be in government for me.

It was genuine public service.

I gave up a lot to do this doesn't make me a martyr.

I don't feel special for that, but it's been a sacrifice for me and my family.

But if you are praying about exactly what is next, where the next opportunity would be to serve, if that's in Frankfort, multiple.

Take a look at that.

If it's in Washington, we'll take a look at that.

>> Well, we know that Congressman Rogers and his 23rd time and he is running for reelection.

But he is also perhaps thinking about the future as he advances in age would.

But that kind of congressional position be a appetizing to you.

>> It would for a long time.

I said, you know, don't spend life in Washington.

And I've had some discussions with friends in a single than don't go up there for a few terms and make some make a difference and come back home.

I think we have a tendency to assume that when somebody gets an office, they're going to stay there for forever.

You know, we now see Senator pollen, his 3rd term and I think possibly contemplating a 4th, you know, originally and said 2 terms.

And now we're talking about a quarter century in the Senate, perhaps.

So that's something that I won't do.

You know, I made this pledge to serve and serve well and not make a life of it.

And one particular office.

I'm going to honor that here in Somerset.

That's my intentions.

And you know, if I were to look at a higher office, I would KET that same type of pledge.

It's or Congress.

It would likely be just a few term.

Same thing if I were ever to consider around for U.S. Senate, you know, to turn pledge and then get back to Kentucky.

Make a difference here at home.

>> You can see more of my interview with Mayor CAC online