Republican state Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll, who has expressed interest in a gubernatorial run in 2010, told Des Moines NBC affiliate WHO-TV that he plans to form a campaign exploratory committee “sooner, rather than later.”

Roberts told reporter Dave Price the media has focused almost exlclusively on two other potential candidates who have yet to officailly throw their hat in the ring — Sioux City businessman and two time gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats and former House Speaker Christopher Rants. But Roberts plans to step up his efforts soon, refusing to get specific on a time frame.

Roberts is one of four potential candidates who will speak later this month at a Sac County Republican Party fundraiser. He said he will ultimately decide whether to enter the race by this fall.