WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-San Francisco) is leaving the door wide open on a potential 2010 gubernatorial run, but she’s not saying much more than that.

In a short interview with PolitickerCA.com in the Capitol Building today, Feinstein said she has been receiving telephone calls from California Democratic officials to discuss a run for the Golden State’s top executive post, and that any decision to launch a campaign would come sometime next year.

“I’m not going to make any decision until at least the middle of the year,” she said.

Observers say that Feinstein would almost certainly be the frontrunner should she decide to enter the contest.

An October Field Poll found Feinstein leading the pack of potential Democratic contenders with a 50 percent favorability rating, with her closest competitor, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, at 34 percent.

In the interview, Feinstein expressed mixed feelings about entering the race for governor, suggesting a confidence in her ability to win while noting her seniority and ability to get things done in the Senate.

“I’ve run five times statewide now. I feel I know the state, and I also feel I have a mission to carry on here, particularly if I do become the new chairman on the Intelligence Committee, and I look forward to that very much,” she said.

Aside from Feinstein and Brown, Democrats who have indicated an interest in running for governor include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, state Schools Superintendant Jack O’Connell, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. On the Republican side, former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman, former U.S. Rep. Tom Campbell, and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner have expressed an interest.