Democratic state Sen. Roger Bedford of Russellville says he’s considering running for governor now that Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. has decided not to run.

Bedford said Thursday he had been hoping Folsom would run for governor. He said his phone has been ringing constantly with people encouraging him to run since Folsom announced Wednesday that he will seek re-election next year.

Bedford is in his fourth term as chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee. He says that has given him lots of experience in state and federal funding and the operation of state agencies, which would be an asset in the governor’s office.