After making noise for the past few months, Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan, the first Asian American woman to serve on the body, took her first concrete steps to enter the 2010 mayor's race by officially launching an exploratory committee. The committee allows Quan, who represents Montclair and the Laurel districts, to raise money and gauge support for her candidacy.

Quan, 59, a council member since 2003 who represents the city's Montclair-Laurel district, has begun fundraising and has formed a committee to help her move into campaign mode. She said she will run assuming she can form a volunteer base of at least 500 people and meet fundraising bench marks she has set for herself — goals she believes are achievable.

"Only if I fail in reaching these bench marks would I consider not running for mayor," she said, declining to specify how much money she was hoping to raise by the time candidates have to file papers.

Quan's decision to pursue the office is of little surprise; she long had discussed a run. She joins Don Perata, former state Senate president pro tem, as one of two people to announce intentions to seek the office in next year's election.

The current Mayor, Ron Dellums, has not decided if he is going to run for re-election. According to this analysis from local newsource, Oakbook:

The fallout from Mayor Dellums’ absentee stewardship is increasing everyday. Former State Senator Don Perata is running for Mayor in 2010. His announcement apparently has chased all of the major contenders out of the race, such as Ignacio De La Fuente, John Russo and Jane Brunner. However, one strong candidate still remains, Councilperson Jean Quan.

Her candidacy is not as long-shot as it seems. Mr. Perata’s election is by no means a walkover. He represents the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party, while Ms. Quan comes from the progressive base. Without another left to center candidate in the race, she will be able to garner strong support from the various progressive groups. It will be interesting to see how this race develops or if any other strong candidates enter the race.

Great to see a progressive candidate in the race and even nice to see that progressivism runs in her family!