In August 1964, Combs declined a nomination to the bench of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.[51] During the administration of Combs' successor, Ned Breathitt, Republicans gained strength within the state behind the leadership of Louie Nunn, Marlow Cook, and William O. Cowger.[51] The Republican rise, coupled with Democratic factionalism, prompted many prominent state Democrats to approach Combs about seeking another term as governor.[51] Combs wavered on whether to seek the Democratic nomination until October 1966, when he publicly declared his support for Henry Ward.[52] In a later interview with historian George W. Robinson, Combs recounted that he "would have run at that time except for a personal family situation".[53] Ward handily defeated his primary opponents, Happy Chandler and Harry Lee Waterfield, but lost in the general election to Louie Nunn.[54]