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Whitman Gears Up to Run for Governator

Former eBay CEO clears way to run in California

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2009 8:04 AM CST
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(Newser) – Meg Whitman has her eyes on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s job, sources tell the San Jose Mercury News. The former eBay CEO has resigned from all three corporate boards she serves on—including eBay’s—a clear sign that she’s interested in running for California governor in 2010, when Schwarzenegger hits his term limit, and wants to divest herself of corporate interests first.

Whitman has been publicly flirting with such a run for months, but made up her mind over the holidays, the source said, and should make an official announcement in 4 to 6 weeks. Whitman rocketed to political prominence this election cycle as a major supporter and surrogate for Mitt Romney and John McCain. Though she’s inexperienced as a candidate, she’s also wealthy enough to self-finance her campaign.

In this Sept. 3, 2008 file photo, Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of eBay, speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
In this Sept. 3, 2008 file photo, Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of eBay, speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, file)
Meg Whitman, national co-chair for McCain 2008 and former president and CEO of eBay, gestures as she speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008.
Meg Whitman, national co-chair for McCain 2008 and former president and CEO of eBay, gestures as she speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
In this Oct. 18, 2007 file photo, EBay CEO Meg Whitman during a talk at a conference in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007.
In this Oct. 18, 2007 file photo, EBay CEO Meg Whitman during a talk at a conference in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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California • Arnold Schwarzenegger • Meg Whitman • governor • gubernatorial races

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