UGA prof says Cagle will have to raise 'eight figures' for campaign

ATHENS - A University of Georgia political scientist says Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will have to raise big bucks to fund a run for the 2010 governorship.

Cagle, a Gainesville native, announced Wednesday he has formed an exploratory committee to investigate a run for the governor's office in the next election cycle. UGA's Charles Bullock said this week that because campaigns are so expensive, candidates are beginning their campaigns earlier.

"I think if you're going to be a serious candidate, as he will be, he's probably looking at the need to raise somewhere in the neighborhood of eight figures," Bullock said.

Forming the exploratory committee allows Cagle to begin fundraising.