Joe Canciamilla

Former state Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla: Campaign photoIt wasn't missing the taste for rubber chicken, but a re-examination of where a public servant could have the most impact that led former state Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla to form an exploratory committee this week to run for state attorney general in 2010.

Canciamilla briefly examined running for a state senate seat this year after being termed out of the assembly, but opted not to do so, declaring he was tired of the "rubber chicken circuit."

Months later, Canciamilla is strongly considering elective office again, but with provisions.

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Campbell: University of California BerkeleyTwo former California politicians thought to be done with elective office are eyeing statewide races in 2010.

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that Republican Tom Campbell, a former San Jose congressman and most recently business school dean at the University of California, Berkeley, has formed an exploratory committee to run for governor in two years.

And the Sacramento Bee reported Monday afternoon that Joe Canciamilla, a former Democratic assemblyman from the East Bay, has taken out papers to run for attorney general in 2010.