Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi announced last Thursday that he will be making his third bid for the governor’s seat in the upcoming 2010 election. Garamendi, who grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Mokelumne Hill, entered into State politics when he won a seat on the California State Assembly in 1974. Garamendi first ran for governor 26 years ago but was defeated by Tom Bradely. In an announcement of his candidacy outside the Capitol last Thursday, Garamendi faulted Governor Schwarzenegger for his inability to resolve the State’s budget problems. “California is not a movie set, and gridlock is simply not acceptable,” he said.

Other Democrats said to be considering throwing their hat into the race include San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Attorney General Jerry Brown, who served as governor from 1975-1983, Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Orange County, and former State Controller Steve Westly, who bid for the seat two years ago but lost the primary election. Republicans said to be contemplating the race include Steve Poizner, who succeeded Garamendi as State Insurance Commissioner in 2007, Tom Campbell, a former congressman from the Bay Area, Meg Whitman, Ebay Executive, and Carly Fiorina, Hewlett-Packard Executive.