Insurance Commissioner and former high-tech executive Steve Poizner, on Monday, took the first official step toward a bid for governor in 2010 by initiating an exploratory committee to reflect on his prospects.

Former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte will serve as chairman of Poizner’s exploratory committee.

“I believe in California and I understand that meeting the challenges of the 21st century requires new and innovative ideas,” Poizner said in a prepared statement. “Californians are frustrated with their government and are right to expect their elected leaders to work together to address California’s biggest challenges. Serious reforms are needed to make our state government work again.”

In 2006, apart from Schwarzenegger, Poizner had turned out to be the only Republican to win statewide office. He pitched in with $12 million to his successful run for insurance commissioner. Poizner has been a successful businessman and has founded several technology companies in Silicon Valley, most recently SnapTrack, which combined GPS technology with mobile telephones.