Governor's race gets early start as rumors suggest GOP senator may run

The field for one of Arizona's most important races in 2010 is already beginning to emerge - more than two years before Election Day.

The Web site www.freedomsphoenix.com this week noted that state Sen. Karen Johnson, a Republican from Mesa, "will be running" for governor. That bit of news was included in a notice that Johnson helped book former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura to speak at an event in Phoenix about the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Johnson told the Tribune on Friday that the Web site overstated her position a bit. She said she doesn't exactly plan to run for governor. More specifically, she's willing to run for governor.

"There are some folks that have approached me about that. All I said to them is that the only desire that I have is to give the people a choice. I don't have any aspirations for anything," Johnson said.

That falls short of an outright announcement to voters that she's running, she said.

"If, in fact, they need somebody out there to do this because they're not happy with the other candidates, then yeah, I'm happy to put my name forward," Johnson said.

With current Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano unable to seek a third term because of term limits, the 2010 governor's race could be a political free-for-all.

No other politicians have announced their candidacies, but the list of potential contenders is long, according veteran newsman Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services. He sees the race shaping up this way:

On the Republican side, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters has made it clear she's interested, while Arizona schools Superintendent Tom Horne will be termed out and looking for work.

Other possible GOP contenders include Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer, Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin, Tucson attorney John Munger and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

Although U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake didn't make Fischer's list, his name frequently gets mentioned in those sorts of discussions as well.

On the Democratic side, Fischer said, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson get the most buzz.

Meanwhile, Napolitano is widely expected to consider running in 2010 for Sen. John McCain's seat, no matter whether McCain is available or willing to seek re-election himself. In the event McCain has other plans, such as finishing his first term as president, fellow Republican Reps. John Shadegg and Flake are expected to take long looks at his Senate office.