From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage

Democratic state Sen. Hollis French filed an intent to run for governor today.

But French said it’s doesn’t mean he will run for sure next year.

“It’s just simply a preliminary step towards making a final decision but also keeping the dialogue going...continuing the conversation I’ve been having with a lot of people about what sort of governor they want to have in the next election,” he said.

French, of Anchorage, said he filed the letter of intent with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. That allows him to legally start raising for a campaign. But French said he doesn’t intend to raise any money until he makes a final decision and a formal announcement of whether he will run for governor.

He said he expects to make a final decision on running “sooner rather than later.”

French became nationally known last year as the oversaw the state Legislature’s so-called “Troopergate” investigation of Republican Gov. Sarah Palin.

Palin hasn’t said if she will run for re-election next year. Democrats Bob Poe and Rob Rosenfeld have filed to run and several others have said they are considering it.