It's official. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will toss his hat into the Lt. Governor's race. He will make the not-so big announcement on Friday. Finally

The LA Times reports:

Newsom, a Democrat, has been busily lining up big-name support and donors to make the statewide run.

He has called elected officials and potential donors to inform them he is in the race. Sources familiar with Newsom's plans say he will unveil a list of endorsements that includes many of the state's top Democratic leaders. They requested anonymity to allow Newsom make the announcement.

What's more, the LA Times goes on to say, the controversial mayor has formed a fundraising committee for the new gig (in lieu of patching up a busted San Francisco, many could claim). Newsom apparently received nearly $18,000 from three donors as of Thursday: $6,500 from Mark and Susie Buell (owners of Esprit) and $4,950 from former press secretary and SFist's favorite sock puppeting commenter Peter Ragone.