It's becoming a very crowded race for governor as the current office holder is enjoying a 10 percent approval rating, according to the latest Review-Journal poll.

And now, the battle lines are forming, with candidates hoping to defeat Jim Gibbons next year. News 3's Steve Crupi reports that members of Gibbons' own party are trying to take him down.

It looks like the Republicans will have quite a fight on their hands over the next year. Tuesday, it was the outgoing mayor of North Las Vegas who put his campaign for governor into high gear.

North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon ran from City Hall during his last day of work.

His destination - he hopes - will eventually be the statehouse in Carson City, currently occupied by fellow Republican Jim Gibbons.

Steve Crupi: Does (Governor Gibbons) deserve his 10 percent approval rating?  

Montandon: It's up to that 90 percent. 

Steve Crupi: Are you in that 90 percent?

Montandon: I am.

Even Montandon's supporters admit his run for the Republican spot on the 2010 ballot won't be easy.

"Mayor Mike. Not a big name. I hope he can overcome his lack of name recognition," says Chris Calligan.

Montandon has presided over North Las Vegas for a dozen years, during boom times filled with housing projects and an exploding population.

But the boom times are over, and he says Nevada needs a leader that will be a financial tough guy.

In his battle to unseat Jim Gibbons, Montandon won't be alone; multiple politicians have expressed interest in joining the race.

On the Democratic side, two of the big names being mentioned as possible contenders in the race for governor are Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid and Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley.