[img_assist|nid=1369|title=San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom|desc=Getty Images Photo|link=none|align=left|width=240|height=160]San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ended months of speculation by announcing Tuesday that he has formed an exploratory committee to consider running for governor of the Golden State in 2010.

In an exclusive story broken by the broken by the Los Angeles Times at 5 p.m., Newsom confirmed officially that he has filed papers to pursue being California's next governor, replacing the termed-out Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 40-year-old high profile mayor told The Times that he was aware of San Francisco's "eccentric" reputation and that his left leaning positions - including his staunch advocacy for gay marriage - could be political liabilities outside of the Bay Area.

To potential opponents who might use those positions against him, Newsom told the Los Angeles paper: "Bring it on."

"We're about civil rights and equal rights, you better believe it," Newsom said. "I'm proud of that, I'm not going to hide from that . . . So now let's talk about healthcare, education, the environment. Let's have a conversation about your kids and what you want this state to look like five, 10 years from now."

Should Newsom move from exploratory committee to full-on campaign mode, he will likely face a crowded candidate field, including current attorney general and former Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and former Controller Steve Westly and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the Democratic side. Among GOP candidates, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is believed to be a likely candidate.