Davis seeks Ala. 1st black Governor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Congressman Artur Davis is running to become Alabama's first black governor.

The Democrat made the formal announcement Friday in Birmingham. Davis was an early supporter of Barack Obama's bid for president and the men share several similarities. Both are Harvard-educated lawyers in their 40s, and Davis is hoping to make history like Obama, the nation's first black president.

Davis has more than $1.1 million in his congressional campaign account and can use the money for his gubernatorial bid. He will likely face challengers in a Democratic primary.

Davis upset a black incumbent to win Alabama's 7th Congressional District seat in 2002 and has either won easily or had no opposition in re-elections.