Campbell looking at another run for gov

SACRAMENTO - Former South Bay Republican congressman Tom Campbell - a fiscal conservative, social moderate and respected academic who twice before unsuccessfully sought statewide office, is eyeing a possible run in 2010 to replace Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. San Jose Mercury News.

Campbell, 55, filed papers last week to form an "exploratory committee" for governor, which allows him to begin raising money for a potential bid. He joins two other GOP moderates from Silicon Valley - state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former eBay chief Meg Whitman - among Republicans who have expressed interest in running.

On the Democratic side, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General and former Gov. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi are likely or possible contenders to succeed Schwarzenegger, who is termed out of office in 2011.