Meg Whitman Finally, Officially Running For California Governor

After months of speculation over "will she or won't she?" run for governor of California once Arnold Schwazrenegger's term is up in 2010, Meg Whitman has finally put the issue to bed. Yes, she will. Today, the former eBay CEO launched her campaign Web site and formed an exploratory committee.

"After careful consideration and with tremendous loyalty to our Golden State, I have formed an Exploratory Committee, the first step in the process of running for Governor in 2010," Whitman said on her Web site. "California faces challenges unlike any other time in its history - a weak and faltering economy, massive job losses, and an exploding state budget deficit. California is better than this, and I refuse to stand by and watch it fail. Now is the time for people across the state to join in a cause for change, excellence and a new California."

Schwarzenegger can't run again, according to state term limit laws. Whitman's already got a solid cast of Republican characters supporting her bid - including former Gov. Pete Wilson as her campaign chairman, U.S. House Republican Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy (her campaign co-chair), Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., state Sen. Tony Strickland, Assembly Republican Whip Nathan Fletcher and former State Assemblywoman Sharon Runner. Whitman will tout her qualifications and how she will be good for California through speeches in the coming weeks throughout Silicon Valley, Orange County and at the California Republican Party Convention in Sacramento.

Not only did Whitman turn eBay into an e-commerce powerhouse, she served as a major fundraising organizer for Mitt Romney during his presidential bid last fall, and was a national co-chair of John McCain's campaign after Romney dropped out. With her net worth estimated at approximately $1.4 billion, Whitman undoubtedly will be a financial force to be reckoned with among the other candidates who have also announced their intent to run. And if you look at Whitman's list of campaign advisers, you'll see a number of Romney operatives among other campaign veterans: Romney national finance director Spencer Zwick as her finance chair; Romney senior adviser and former Schwarzenegger aide Rob Stutzman; and Joanne Davis, who managed the state fundraising operation for Romney.