Phil Angelides

DENVER – Former state treasurer Phil Angelides, who  waged a failed 2006 campaign for governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger, today was tight-lipped on whether he might seek the same position two years from now.

“I’ve made no decisions. I’ve ruled nothing in and nothing out,” Angelides said as he stood in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

Angelides, who made a fortune in the real estate business, said that he was focused on his current position as head of Apollo Alliance, an organization that promotes the use of clean energy. A race for the Golden State’s top post, he said, wasn’t on his mind.

“There are miles to go between now and 2010,” he said. “That election is a long time off.”

California’s next gubernatorial election is more than 31 months away, but a national Democratic organization already sees the now-Republican seat as a prime target in 2010.

“California is certainly one to look at,” said Nathan Daschle, the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, an independent, Washington-based organization devoted to supporting Democratic gubernatorial incumbents and nominees across the country. “That’s a seat I can see going our way.”

Former State Controller Steve Westly might run for Governor in 2010: Getty Images Photo
Former Democratic State Controller Steve Westly confirmed he was mulling a bid for governor in 2010, he told PolitickerCA.com today. He said he would not be dissuaded from running if Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown entered the race.

“I think both Jerry and I have advantages other candidates don’t,” Westly said, adding that he and brown had high name recognition in the state and had shown an ability to raise large amounts of money.