Democratic heavyweight Clemons to run Newsom's gubernatorial exploratory committee

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom: Getty Images PhotoIn a move that will no doubt send tremors through the California political world - or at the very least among what is expected to be a crowded candidate field - a spokesman for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom confirmed late Friday that Democratic heavyweight strategist Nick Clemons has agreed to head the mayor's gubernatorial exploratory committee.

"That is absolutely correct," Newsom spokesman Eric Jaye told PolitickerCA.com when asked about Clemons. "We are very, very proud to have Nick joining us."

Clemons, 34, just finished directing Sen. Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire primary win over presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Known as a wunderkind of New Hampshire politics, Clemons' political resume runs deep for someone so young. Prior to running Clinton's campaign, Clemons worked for former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen. Before that, Clemons worked for Al Gore during his 2000 campaign and before that worked on the 1996 Clinton-Gore re-election effort.

Clemons, who apparently spent most of the week in San Francisco, was on a plane returning to New Hampshire late Friday and was not immediately available for comment.

When he relocates to California to begin his new post, Clemons will have his job cut out for him as a small parade of candidates - both Democratic and Republican - are expected to join the competition to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010.

Amongst Democrats expecting to run are Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Controller Steve Westly, state Supt. of Instruction Jack O'Connell, Treasurer Bill Lockyer and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Potential GOP candidates include Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and former eBay Inc. President Meg Whitman.

And should Newsom formally declare his candidacy, Clemons will also have to face the daunting aspect of raising an estimated $30 million - the amount of cash many observers think he will need to run a winning statewide campaign.

"I think it's fair to say that Nick is the best political organizer in America," Jaye added.