MADISON, Wis. -- After weeks of speculation, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said on Sunday that he's running for governor in 2010.

Barrett made the official announcement Sunday at noon from his home. He told reporters on Saturday he deferred his decision until he was sufficiently recovered from the attack near the Wisconsin State Fair three months ago that left him with head and hand injuries.

"I'm here today, to announce that I am filing my papers to run for governor for the great state of Wisconsin," Barrett told a group of supporters and cameras in front of his Milwaukee home. "Wisconsin families want to pay less in property taxes, our families and businesses want fair taxes, and they want our job base to grow, and our low performing schools to be turned around."

Barrett made the announcement in a sweater and surrounded by his family. Largely reading from a script with little fanfare, political analyst Charles Franklin said it's no surprise from a man and politician who likes low-key settings.

"He likes to be in front of his house in the neighborhood, and give what amounts to a casual talk to the cameras, rather than a fiery speech or a big rally," Franklin said.

His decision to run was a relief for the Democratic Party. It was without a major candidate after incumbent Gov. Jim Doyle decided not to seek a third term. Others, including U.S. Rep. Ron Kind and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, chose not to run.

The 55-year-old Barrett said he'll build his campaign around the issues of jobs, education, and the economy. He said he didn't discuss his decision with President Barack Obama, but he said people in the White House encouraged him to run.

Whether the down-to-earth method will translate to successful stumping remains to be seen, and though Barrett did lose to Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle in a 2002 gubernatorial primary he has won major races, including a seat in Congress.

In a statement on Sunday, Doyle said, "With a strong record of job creation in Milwaukee he will be an outstanding Governor focused on helping Wisconsin rebuild from the recession.

Even before Barrett's official announcement, the campaign for Republican candidate Scott Walker released a statement that indicated their belief that Milwaukee's mayor would run. The statement included quotes such as, "If you like the big spending, big taxing policies of Jim Doyle, then you'll love Mayor Tom Barrett," and "If the Obama-Doyle administrations were looking for someone to maintain the status quo in Madison, then they sure found a willing foot soldier."

"There are some real questions when it comes to his service in the legislature where he voted for the largest tax increase in state history, in Congress he voted for the Clinton tax hike which was the largest in our nation's history at the time," said Mark Jefferson, executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

"It shows I think the tenor of the race to come is that probably both Republicans will attack Barrett on the issue of taxes," Franklin said.

Barrett will need to build a considerable war chest. Reports indicate he currently has about $800,000 of cash on hand. Experts predict the 2010 race for governor could cost nearly $10 million. Which means Barrett will need Wisconsinites to believe in him, as much as he said on Sunday he believes in them, WISC-TV reported.

"I am running for governor because I believe in the people of Wisconsin. The businesses of Wisconsin and the future of this state, I am running for governor because we can build a strong economy, protect what is important, and create a great future for ourselves and our children. That's what this is all about, thank you very much."