Mayor Scott Munsterman, a Republican, has started a Web site to explore a possible run for governor.

On the site, Munsterman, a Brookings chiropractor, said he's considering entering the 2010 race for governor.

Openly running for governor is GOP Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard of Garretson.

Gov. Mike Rounds is in his second term and cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

"An exploratory phase is just what it sounds like, a time to explore the idea of becoming a candidate in the gubernatorial election," Munsterman said in a statement posted on the Web site.

Munsterman said that over the next few months, he'll contact up to 100 people across the state and ask them to look at a draft of his 200-page strategic development proposal. The mayor said he wants his policy drafts to spur discussion "so it can really give us a good, solid view and representation of all the people in South Dakota. I really feel the next governor of this state needs to lead … all the people in South Dakota.

"I am sincerely convinced that we need a new strategy in our state, and that should hinge on how we develop communities in this state from the ground up."

He said the responses will help him decide whether to start campaigning full-time next year.

The decision also depends on the health of his wife, Mary Jeanne Munsterman, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

"What we're hoping is, within that time Mary Jeanne's going to be in a good, strong healing rate, and we'll be able to move from there. And if everything is in check and everything's a green light, I would start campaigning full time shortly after that," Munsterman said.

He said Rounds' 2010 initiatives are a good start but that the approach should not be "top-down."

"We need to have an approach that's going to build communities. We're only as strong as our smallest community."