The Eye

Newsom joins a field crowded with candidates working to distinguish themselves during the race's early stages.

Republican "exploratory" candidate Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay, announced Tuesday that she expects to raise at least $5 million by June 30. That total would be in addition to $4 million in personal funds Whitman has already contributed, according to her campaign statement.

There is no heir apparent for the seat, currently held by term-limited Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Democrats are eager to take back the office Schwarzenegger first won during the 2003 recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. The state overall continues to trend Democratic and supported Barack Obama with 61 percent last November.

Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi is the only major Democrat, other than Newsom, to have officially announced his candidacy. But Garamendi has publicly indicated he may run to succeed Democratic Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher in California's 10th District. Tauscher was tapped to serve as undersecretary of State for arms control and international security.

Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles, is regarded as a potential Democratic candidate as is former Gov. Jerry Brown, the current state Attorney General. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein is widely regarded as the top candidate for the seat but the lawmaker has yet to disclose her decision.

Republican state insurance commissioner Steve Poizner, former Rep. Tom Campbell, and Whitman are among those Republicans vying for their party's nomination. All three Republicans currently operate exploratory committees.