Ken Taylor commented, "I am very impressed with that office under her. They have the right attitude about being a watchdog." During her tenure as Auditor, Luallen successfully battled colon cancer and another unspecified cancer in 2004 and 2005. Luallen was considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Mitch McConnell in the 2008 Election before announcing her decision not to run but instead to remain as Auditor. In December 2011, Luallen said "At this stage in my career, I think the next race for me if I decide to run for statewide race would be for governor", and ruled out running against McConnell in 2014. In April 2014, she ruled out running for Governor in 2015. Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky On November 6, 2014, Governor Steve Beshear appointed Luallen Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, effective November 13, 2014. Luallen completed the term of Jerry Abramson who was appointed Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs by President Barack Obama. Honors 1994- Centre College Distinguished Alumni induction 2001- National Excellence in Leadership award from Women Executives in State Government 2009- Public Officials of the Year honoree from Governing 2012- Fontaine Banks Award for Distinguished Service from Bluegrass Council of the Boy Scouts of America 2012- Martha Layne Collins award from Women Leading Kentucky 2012- Honorary degree from Spalding University 2012- Kentucky Women Remembered induction 2015- Louisville Business First Enterprising Woman of Achievement See also List of female lieutenant governors in the United States References External links Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky 1952 births American Disciples of Christ Centre College alumni Crittenden family Kentucky Democrats Lieutenant Governors of Kentucky Living people Politicians from Frankfort, Kentucky State Auditors of Kentucky State cabinet secretaries of Kentucky People from Franklin County, Kentucky Women in Kentucky politics