Former eBay CEO to run for California governor in 2010

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will leave office in January 2011 because of term limits.

In anticipation of running for Governor of California to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger, former eBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman (pictured), a Republican, has stepped down from the boards of eBay, Proctor & Gamble and Dreamworks Animation.

A Republican Party official in California said she will have a team assembled by the end of the month and is bringing on people from the campaign of Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor.

If she runs, Ms. Whitman, 52 years old, is likely to face a crowded field in the quest to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger when his second and final term runs out in January 2011.

Other Republicans include Ms. Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.

Democrats expected to run include San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi.

Attorney General Jerry Brown will also seek the governorship. Brown is a former California governor who has also served as California Secretary of State and Mayor of Oakland.

Other potential contenders could include U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

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