From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage –

Ethan Berkowitz today is submitting his letter of intent to run for governor, making official what he's talked about for awhile.

The Democratic primary field for next year's race for governor now consists of Berkowitz, Hollis French, Bob Poe and Robert Rosenfeld. Republicans who have announced plans to run are Sean Parnell, John Harris and Gerald Heikes.

Berkowitz' most recent run for office was against Don Young for Congress last year, a race Young won by 16,379 votes. Berkowitz was also Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006, joining with Tony Knowles on the ticket that ended up losing to the Republican tandem of Sarah Palin and Parnell. Berkowitz previously represented a West Anchorage district in the state House for 10 years, eight as minority leader.

Berkowitz, who earlier practiced law among other things, put out a statement saying he's been most recently working with the Kodiak Kenai Cable Company on installing an undersea fiber optic cable "that will bring high speed broadband to to more than 140 rural communities."

“A lot has changed in the fifty years since statehood and yet much remains the same,” Berkowitz said in the written statement. “We’re still too dependent on the federal government, too reliant on Outside corporations and too beholden to special interests. After fifty years, it’s time to stand on our own feet.”