Patrick nears decision on governor run

Deval Patrick edged closer to a run for governor yesterday, saying his family has given him the green light to plunge into the race as he continues to assemble a staff and campaign organization. Patrick, a Democrat who headed the civil rights division of the Justice Department during the Clinton administration, said that ''not much" stands in the way of his getting into the race, but he wants to assure himself he is comfortable with the campaign structure he is working to put together. Patrick is viewed by many political veterans as a wild card in the Democratic race for governor. Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly has emerged as an early favorite among many party leaders and financial backers. Secretary of State William F. Galvin also has expressed interest in running. If Patrick runs, he would be the first African-American to emerge as a major candidate for governor in Massachusetts. He has told political figures he can put at least a half-million dollars of his own money into the campaign. He has already contributed $100,000 for his exploratory efforts, including renting a downtown Boston office and hiring several aides and consultants. But most analysts figure that Patrick, to be a serious candidate in the primary, must spend as much as $5 million. Raising that much is difficult because state law limits each contribution to $500 per person each year. [more]

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