In what sounded a lot like a stump speech, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak told a gathering of local Democrats last week that he is “very likely” to enter the 2010 Minnesota governor’s race.

In a speech caught on video by local online news outlet The Uptake, Rybak told the gathering in Eagan, Minn., “I’m looking hard at entering this race and I’m very likely to enter this race because this state needs to change. Our state, this incredible state that has given so much to all of us, is in trouble.” He said his top priorities, were he to run, would be job creation and fixing schools.

Rybak, who is also running for re-election as mayor in 2009, would be a favorite but not a shoo-in should he enter the race. Other Democratic heavy-hitters ialready vying for the nomination include Mark Dayton, who represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2007, and former state House Minority Leader Matt Entenza. St. Paul Mayor Christopher B. Coleman of St. Paul and state House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher also look like they are leaning toward a run.