MADISON, Wis. -- Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton's announcement to bow out of next year's gubernatorial campaign leaves Democrats without any announced candidate in the race to succeed Jim Doyle.

One potential candidate -- Milwaukee Mayor Barrett -- is now under a lot of pressure to make up his mind.

Lawton's announcement to supporters on Monday took most Democrats around the state by surprise. Now, many party leaders are scrambling to find a candidate.

Barrett, who has long been rumored to be a candidate, happened to be in Madison on Monday morning for an announcement with Gov. Doyle about a grant for solar energy. Barrett has been considering a run since Doyle announced he wouldn't seek a third term in August.

Now, everyone knows time is of the essence.

"I certainly respect her decision on this," Doyle said. "I'm sure it was a very hard one, but I'm confident we're going to have a very good candidate, or candidates, that will emerge on the Democratic side, and we'll have a Democratic win in November."

Barrett said that he was surprised by Lawton's announcement, but didn't reveal his plans.

"I'm surprised by the decision, and I think it points to the need for the Democrats to have a strong candidate soon, and I recognize that," he said.

Barrett said that he's interested in running, but has to decide if now is the right time for his family. The mayor has been wrapped up in recuperation from an attack near the Wisconsin State Fair in August, leaving him to make up his mind.

"The question is whether we can do it and not wreak havoc on the family. That's pretty much the decision," he said.

Despite Barrett becoming the focus of the media spotlight, some political watchers said that he might not be the only name to watch.

Political scientist Ken Goldstein said the clock is ticking for fundraising.

"The fact of the matter is we were all waiting for someone else to get into this race in any case," Goldstein said. "It's certainly going to make a lot of people think twice or three times about whether they want to get into this Democratic primary race."

Goldstein said that a Democrat does have some advantages.

"There's still more Democrats than there are Republicans. Party attachments in this state are still teed up for a Democrat, but you need a candidate," he said.

Barrett said that he'd had discussions about running with White House officials, but didn't elaborate on the nature of the conversations. Published reports said he was being encouraged by the Obama administration to run.

The two major Republican candidates in the race.-- Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann -- are both deep into campaigning and fundraising.