AKRON, Ohio -- Television talk show host Jerry Springer, speaking to an audience of college students, was open to the possibility he might run for Ohio governor in 2006.

Springer recently considered the state's U.S. Senate race. The Democrat spent about $1 million of his money to determine voter support for a possible run in a primary and eventually a possible campaign against Republican incumbent Sen. George Voinovich.

But Springer decided in August against running. He said then he realized he could not be elected as long as he remains host of "The Jerry Springer Show."

Springer said Thursday at the University of Akron that if he decides to run for governor, he will quit doing the Chicago-based syndicated show, which he called the "silliest show ever."

Springer said that education would be a major plank in any future campaign platform.

"Education has to be the top priority of Ohio," he said. "If I ran for governor, I would have a clear commitment to early childhood education, particularly in troubled school districts."

More than 300 students gathered at the university's student center to hear the 59-year-old former mayor of Cincinnati urge students to become more politically active.