Brown pulls in more cash toward possible governor bid

Two days after a potential top rival announced an exploratory bid for California governor, Attorney General Jerry Brown reported another $124,100 in donations Thursday to his Brown 2010 campaign account.

Brown, who has not ruled out another run for the gubernatorial job he held from 1975 to 1983, would also have to run for re-election in his current job in two years to keep that seat.

Many of the donations reported Thursday came from labor unions and worker groups, considered a key area of support for Democratic candidates like Brown.

The Western State Council of Sheet Metal Workers and the California State Association of Electrical Workers each donated $12,000 to Brown's account. The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters contributed $12,100.

The donations came as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, also a Democrat, announced this week that he was forming an exploratory committee to possibly run for governor in 2010, when term limits will force out current Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Brown, a former mayor of Oakland, will vie with Newsom for the affections and campaign donations of heavy hitters in the Bay Area.

In an interview earlier this week, Brown suggested that more donations to his campExperts: Newsom announcement means long race aheadaign would be forthcoming, along with maneuvering by potential candidates for governor.

Besides Brown and Newsom, observers expect Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villagairosa, former Controller Steve Westly and possibly others to at least investigate joining the race.

 Bob Stern, president of the think tank Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, said Wednesday that after Newsom's announcement, another potential candidate Stern did not identify began telling supporters that he also planned to run.

ALSO on PolitickerCA.com:

• Experts: Newsom announcement means long race ahead
• Some candidates out-raising Newsom for 2010
• GOP strategist likes Newsom's chances in potentially crowded Democratic field
• Exploratory effort signals Newsom ready to bring SF civil rights, eco agendas to state