North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is “pretty seriously leaning towards” running against Republican Sen. Richard M. Burr in 2010, campaign strategist Thomas Mills tell CQ Politics.

“She’s gotten very strong feedback both in state and in Washington,” said Mills.

If you paid attention to President Obama’s health care forum in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday, you would have noticed her there, as well.

As the number of Democratic prospects continue to dwindle, Marshall is looking like a lead contender to take on Burr, whose shaky standing at home has Democratic party leaders drooling.