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Kayyem takes step toward bid for Mass. governor

BOSTON (AP) - Juliette Kayyem, a former homeland security adviser at the state and national levels, has taken a key step toward a potential run for governor by forming a committee and filing papers with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Kayyem, a Democrat, would join a growing list of candidates hoping to succeed Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, who is not seeking a third term and will leave office at the end of 2014.

On Tuesday, Kayyem filed a statement of organization with OCPF that allows her to open a fundraising account and names Christopher Wyett of Newton as treasurer of her campaign committee.

Kayyem planned a further statement on Wednesday, according to a spokeswoman. A phone message and e-mail were left with Kayyem on Tuesday at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she is currently a lecturer in public policy.

The Cambridge resident most recently served as assistant secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where according to her official Kennedy School biography she helped coordinate planning between state and local officials on a variety of issues including immigration and intelligence sharing.

She also helped manage the government's response to major events, including the BP Gulf oil spill.

Before joining President Barack Obama's administration, Kayyem was an undersecretary for homeland security for Patrick in Massachusetts.

She has also been a columnist for The Boston Globe.

Democrats who have officially announced plans to run for governor include state Treasurer Steven Grossman, state Sen. Dan Wolf of Cape Cod, Newton physician and former Obama health care policy official Don Berwick, and former Wellesley selectmen and biotechnology industry executive Joseph Avellone.

Other Democrats still weighing runs include state Attorney General Martha Coakley, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone.

On the Republican side, Charles Baker, former chief executive of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and the 2010 Republican nominee for governor, is considering another run for the job.

Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has also said he will decide soon whether to be a candidate for governor.