Could Gene Locke be a game changer?

Update: I had a chance to talk to Gene Locke this afternoon.  He's still using the big term "IF I RUN", spoken like a seasoned politician.  Locke says a number of factors got him interested, including the recent national enthusiam in the political process.  He also said that he's thought about running for mayor in years past, but wanted to wait until his kids were all grown up. He didn't say yet what would be his number one issue, just that he will be doing "a lot of listening, if I run."  As for the talk that if he runs, former Gov. White will graciously make way for him, he laughed, wouldn't comment, but said "I've heard that."

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Okay, it's basically been an open secret for a few weeks now.  But Gene Locke is now ready to talk about it, on the record.  The former city attorney could soon shake things up by throwing his hat into the ring for mayor. Locke served as City Attorney under Mayor Bob Lanier.  A partner with Andrews and Kurth for the past decade, Locke says he's pretty close to deciding to run for mayor.  Locke says he's been thinking about it for a while, and has talked to "a lot" of people (which, of course, includes Mayor Lanier.)  Currently, Council Member Peter Brown, Controller Annise Parker, former Kemah Mayor Bill King have all said they intend to run.   Former Governor Mark White is also seriously thinking about it.  Though if Locke runs... well... let's just say that Gov. White and Locke have talked.  Political experts say Locke would immediately have an impact because he would be the first minority candidate in a growing field, and has the backing of Mayor Lanier.  Can he shake things up?  We know he can get people buzzing...