The 2010 election may be a full year away, but it’s not too soon to look ahead to the gubernatorial race in Wisconsin.

After eight years in office, Gov. Jim Doyle has decided not to run for another term in 2010. This leaves the race wide open for candidates from both parties.

With the Democratic incumbent out of the race, it will be difficult for Republicans to attach Doyle with whoever the Democratic candidate turns out to be, said Janet Boles, professor emerita of political science.

Republican candidates already in the race are Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann.

Walker’s campaign had workers in the Alumni Memorial Union yesterday.

In a conference call with student reporters Monday, Walker said his experience as Milwaukee County executive gives him an advantage over candidates from both parties because the responsibilities of governor are most comparable to his current job.

He said his campaign focuses on increasing Wisconsin’s ability to create an environment in which it would be easier to retain jobs and attract new ones.

Walker said he would bring conservative fiscal policies to the governor’s office, carrying over from his record of not raising property taxes in Milwaukee County. The Neumann campaign emphasized a similar position.

“It’s been proven time and again that holding the line on taxes and tax cuts creates jobs and allows businesses to grow,” said Bruce Pfaff, a spokesman for Neumann’s campaign.

Pfaff added Neumann’s experience in the private sector as a business owner — and not being a career politician — will help him in the race for governor.

“People are tired of career politicians who can’t or don’t keep their promises,” he said.

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who held the office from 1987 to 2001, has also indicated he may join the Republican race.

The Democratic side of the gubernatorial picture is decidedly less clear, with no official candidates in the race. Just last week, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton unexpectedly dropped out. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who ran against Doyle in the Democratic primary for governor in 2002, is still weighing a decision to join the gubernatorial fray.

If Barrett does decide to run, it may make voters statewide more apt to vote for Neumann over Walker in the Republican primary because of an anti-Milwaukee sentiment that exists throughout the state, Boles said.

At this point, Boles said there is no advantage for the Republicans even without a Democratic candidate in the race.

“Wisconsinites aren’t really in tune with the race,” she said.

No matter who runs, state Democrats still think the party will be well-represented in the election next year, said Sam Roecker, a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He did not comment on potential candidates because any discussion about the race at this point would be purely speculative, he said.