Oregon Public Broadcasting

Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber stirred the political pot by telling a reporter this week he's seriously considering seeking the state's top job again next year. April Baer reports.

Kitzhaber's comments to the Oregonian are a hot topic as he makes a week-ending visit to the City Club of Portland.

He's a former ER doc who practiced in Southern Oregon before going into politics. So far, the only major declared candidate for the 2010 governor's race is Republican Allen Alley, a tech entrepreneur with strong connections in the Portland metro area.

Alley says Kitzhaber's admission was no surprise, given how time is flying.

Allen Alley:  "Well it's less than a year from the primary which is a little shocking. I'm looking forward to the race."

Alley says he's spending a lot of time now going to rural Oregon to raise his profile.

A few other Democrats are considering a run -- among them, attorney Steve Novick, and former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.

During Kitzhaber's two terms at Mahonia Hall, he worked on expanding the Oregon Health Plan, but struggled to launch his goals with  what was then a Republican-controlled Legislature.