JOHNSTON - Sioux City Republican Christopher Rants on Friday announced on Twitter he is forming an exploratory committee and may seek the GOP's gubernatorial nomination in 2010 in Iowa.

Rants, 41, a state representative first elected to the Iowa House in 1992, previously served as speaker of the House and as majority and minority party leader during his stint at the Statehouse. He posted the announcement shortly before taping Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" show, which is slated to air today.

The Sioux City Republican has indicated he intends to challenge first-term Democratic Gov. Chet Culver's re-election bid by running as someone who can bridge gaps between social and fiscal conservatives.

Rants has been traveling the state since lawmakers adjourned in late April, talking to activists and collecting financial commitments.

Other Republicans considering the 2010 governor's race are Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats, Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll, Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone, former Senate President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny, Quad Cities restaurateur Mike Whalen, University of Dubuque President Jeffrey Bullock, U.S. Rep. Steve King of Kiron and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey of Spirit Lake.