Wanted: More candidates running for Wisconsin governor in competitive party primaries. Executive and legislative experience helpful. Charisma and bold ideas required. Must have or be able to raise millions of dollars for political advertising. Apply soon, almost a year before the election, or you won't be seriously considered for the job.

That could be the want ad across Wisconsin prodding more leaders to seek the state's top job in 2010.

But few if any would likely respond, judging by the small field of major candidates who have announced gubernatorial bids so far.

It's as if the Democratic and Republican primaries for governor have already wrapped up 10 months before voters get their say.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is the lone Democrat of note seeking his party's nomination next September. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination.

Former Congressman Mark Neumann is still vying for the GOP nod. But Republican power broker James Klauser, a top lieutenant under former Gov. Tommy Thompson, last week reportedly swung his support from Neumann to Walker.

Neumann's spokesman insists he's in the race for the long haul. We hope that's true so voters get a little more choice.

But the bigwigs in the Democratic and Republican parties seem bent on crowning their respective kings long before most voters even focus on the race.

Charlie Sykes, a conservative talk radio host in Milwaukee, wondered aloud last week if the Neumann campaign would last to the end of the year.

Both Barrett and Walker are strong candidates with extensive experience, support and contrasting ideas. But voters deserve more choice, ideas and debate. That's what statewide primaries are supposed to provide.

Instead, neither major party may have a competitive primary for the second gubernatorial election in a row.

Last time around, it was Walker who dropped out of contention for the GOP nomination six months before the primary in 2006. This allowed Republican Congressman Mark Green to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in the general election without having to survive a bruising and expensive GOP primary.

It all comes down to money.

Campaign finance reform is frequently cited as the solution. And the State Journal has endorsed several versions of voluntary spending limits with public financing over the years.

But the courts have ruled that money is speech - something difficult to limit or control. And a lot of the Democrats who touted reform when out of power at the state Capitol seem to have lost interest in reform now that they're in charge.

Voters should encourage more candidates to jump or stay in the race. Let the candidates know you have an open mind and won't be swayed by slick TV ads.

Former Libertarian candidate for governor Ed Thompson also showed in 2002 that third-party voices can enrich the debate even if the political system is stacked against them.

Wisconsin needs competitive primaries to help it make smart decisions. With little choice comes less hope for strong leadership.

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