Snyder says he was first choice for Kan. lt. gov.

Eds: APNewsNow. CORRECTS location of meeting to Winfield, sted Arkansas City. Moving on general news and sports services.

WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) -- Bill Snyder says he was former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' first choice for lieutenant governor after he retired from coaching in 2005.

The former and current Kansas State football coach on Wednesday told a crowd of boosters in Winfield that he seriously considered the offer. But he said he turned Sebelius down after Sen. Pat Roberts and former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne advised him against it.

Spokespeople for Sebelius -- now the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary -- and Roberts didn't immediately return phone calls to confirm the account.

Snyder didn't say when the offer was made. He retired in November 2005 and Sebelius chose Mark Parkinson as her running mate in June 2006.

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Information from: The Arkansas City Traveler, http://www.arkcity.net