Mayor Ray Nagin has downplayed speculation that he may run for higher office but he took a quick trip to Kansas City, Mo., for a campaign fund raiser.

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Mayor Ray Nagin

Nagin popped up in Kansas City on Wednesday only hours after releasing a statement critical of the handling of high-profile violent crime cases by the New Orleans' district attorney's office.

While dealing with crime and a host of other problems facing the city, which is still struggling to recover almost two years after Hurricane Katrina, Nagin has repeatedly said he is focused on the recovery, not a congressional seat or the governor's mansion. But he also has said he is keeping his options open.

Last week, in a radio interview, Nagin said "there's a wide open governor's race, and we'll take a little look at it, but it's going to be quick," adding later that there is "no truth to the rumors" that he may run for governor or Congress.

At the fundraiser Wednesday, he told about 75 people from the construction industry that he's getting "a lot of encouragement" to run for a higher office, the Kansas City Star reported.

David White, treasurer of Nagin's campaign fund, said Thursday he did not know how much money Nagin pulled in Wednesday night. He also said he doesn't know of any specific office Nagin has in mind.

Nagin reiterated that at a news conference Thursday.

"I haven't announced that I'm running for anything, I think that's the thing that's kind of missing here," he said. "Raising money, being an elected public official, I don't think that's unusual. You know, the only thing that's unusual right now is the speculation that's out there.

"Everytime a politician gets in trouble," he said, "somebody thinks I'm running for their office."

U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., is under indictment in connection with an alleged international bribery scheme. Jefferson, who was re-elected last year in a largely black district, has denied wrongdoing. He has indicated no plan to step down but faces another election next year.

U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., this week acknowledged a past "serious sin" involving an escort service that federal prosecutors claim was a prostitution ring. Vitter does not face re-election until 2010, but Nagin could step in should the scandal drive him from office.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, has said she will not seek re-election this fall.

Nagin won re-election in 2006, defeating a field of challengers including Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, brother of U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. Term limits bar Nagin from running for another four-year term.

Bart Everson, a resident who blogged about the fundraiser, agreed there's nothing unusual about politicians raising money, but said "it just doesn't sit well with me to know the mayor has his eyes on his future, when he should have his eyes on the future of the city."

Last Saturday, at a meeting on housing, Nagin strongly defended his record and efforts to try to move the city forward. But he used terms like "thankless work" to describe his job. He said he was "getting worn out" -- but still plans to push ahead.

On Thursday, Nagin said some of his comments may have been borne of frustration and fatigue from his activities at last weekend's Essence Music Festival.

"I am staying focused on being mayor of the city of New Orleans and listening to a lot of different people who are encouraging me to do a lot of things," he said Thursday. "And then some people are telling me to go away and go back into private office, so, you know, it's an interesting time."

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)