ATLANTA -- Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has decided that he will form a committee to run for governor in 2010, according to the political web site InsiderAdvantageGeorgia.com.

In a story by Gary Reese the web site reports that Oxendine intends to announce his candidacy within the next two weeks. Oxendine made it clear that he will move forward regardless of other potential candidates who might enter the race, according to Reese.

LINKS: InsiderAdvantageGeorgia | Southern Political Report

In an exclusive interview with InsiderAdvantage, Oxendine indicated that frustrations arising from the most recent legislative session, roundly criticized by the media and many Republicans, prompted him to take the early move towards running for governor. Oxendine, who was elected insurance commissioner in 1994, has built a powerful fundraising organization that could mount an extremely potent gubernatorial bid.

Other potential candidates mentioned on the GOP side have included the names of Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. House Speaker Glenn Richardson has publicly stated that he has no intention of running for governor in 2010.

Last month Oxendine received extensive media coverage when he revealed the extent of damage to the World Congress Center after a tornado hit downtown Atlanta.

Prior to his statement that damage may approach $100 million or more, most Georgians were unaware that the convention center had sustained such significant destruction.