In a widely expected move, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi announced this morning that he will run for governor in 2010.

Garamendi, a Democrat, has had his eye on the governorship for more than two decades, dating back to his first unsuccessful run at the office in 1982.

Garamendi announced his gubernatorial bid on the west steps of the Capitol moments before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was to hold a press conference on the state budget standoff and his draft order to cut pay for an estimated 200,000 state workers to $6.55 an hour.

"California is not a movie set and gridlock is not acceptable," Garamendi said. "This is real life. This is about real people and Californians who are hurting. They have mortgages to pay. They have kids to feed. They have work to do. And a stunt like a pay cut to $6.55 and hour doesn't solve the problems that Californians faces."

Garamendi went on to say that he will address the state's fiscal woes both by raising taxes and cutting the size of California government. He also pledged support for a single-payer universal health care system and vowed to enhance the state's on-going commitment for protecting the environment and fighting global warming.

He comes into the race toting a long political resume, but recent private polls show he faces an uphill battle against other potential contenders, such as Attorney General Jerry Brown, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"I think he actually is a B-list candidate," said David McCuan, a professor of political science at Sonoma State University, who cited Brown, Newsom and Villaraigosa as the A-list. "He has a long set of contacts in Sacramento but the 2010 gubernatorial is going to be about folks who are fresh and new on the scene as much as those who cut their teeth working in Sacramento."

Garamendi is the second candidate to enter the race, though the first to definitively jump in. His campaign committee reported roughly $150,000 cash on hand as of March. Newsom was the first to announce, forming an exploratory committee in early July.

The race could expand much further, with former state Controller Steve Westly (a 2006 candidate), state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and state Treasurer Bill Lockyer also considering a run.

As lieutenant governor, Garamendi has tried hard to stay in the political spotlight, standing front-and-center as whales traveled up the Sacramento River and using his spot as a University of California regent and California State University trustee to push for lower tuition for students.

Close with organized labor, he has positioned himself as a "fighter on behalf of working people," said McCuan, dovetailing his advocacy for students with his work during two terms as insurance commissioner.

Garamendi first broke into state politics way back in 1974, winning election to the state Assembly. He quickly moved on to the state Senate where he served throughout the 1970s and 80s.

The 1980s, however, saw Garamendi lose his first two shots at statewide office - first, the 1982 Democratic primary for governor to Tom Bradley and then the 1986 primary for controller to Gray Davis.

In 1990, he finally broke through, becoming California's first elected insurance commissioner. After one term, he again ran for governor in 1994, losing in the Democratic primary.

He went on to join the Clinton administration in the Department of the Interior, before returning to California to become insurance commissioner in 2002. He briefly flirted with joining the recall fracas in 2003 - announcing as a candidate and then reversing himself within days.

In 2006, he ran for lieutenant governor - an office with few powers - in what most political observers assumed was a political stepping stone. Today's announcement makes that official.

Call The Bee's Shane Goldmacher, (916) 326-5544.