In what appears to be the strongest signal yet that he’s moving toward a Senate bid, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham (D) released a statement to a group of supporters this week detailing his ongoing efforts to build a campaign to challenge Sen. Richard Burr (R) in 2010.

“Over the last few weeks, I have met with many people — from folks going about their daily lives, to interested individuals and party groups, the best state and national consultants, current and former office holders and many close friends,— Cunningham wrote in a letter to the Facebook group “Cal Cunningham for US Senate, 2010.—

“It is my goal to see if we can put together an issue-based, professional, independent and progressive campaign that would make you proud.—

Cunningham, who is becoming a darling of progressives in the Tar Heel State, is a lawyer and officer in the Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps and also a decorated veteran of the Iraq War.

Cunningham’s statement said he is committed to making a “timely decision,— and when reached on Wednesday he declined to be any more specific about when a formal announcement might come.

Other Democrats who are either considering or being courted to challenge Burr include Rep. Mike McIntyre, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, state Sen. Dan Blue and banker Jim Neal. Attorney and political fundraiser Kenneth Lewis is already in the race.