Sec. of State Handel: I am running for governor

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel says she is entering the race to replace Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2010.

Handel told The Associated Press Sunday night that she’ll file the paperwork to run for governor.

She made the comments on the eve of the legislative session. A former chairwoman of the Fulton County Commission, she enters what is shaping up as a crowded Republican field.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine are also running and have already established sizable campaign war chests.

David Poythress, the former commander of the Georgia National Guard, is the only Democrat to enter the race so far. House Minority Leader DuBose Porter said he’ll announce his intentions
after the legislative session.