HARRISBURG -- State Auditor General Jack Wagner, a Democrat, went to Philadelphia yesterday to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Philadelphia's new Democratic mayor, Michael Nutter. So did Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

Why would Pittsburghers worry about the mayor of Philadelphia? Because Mr. Wagner and Mr. Onorato are often mentioned as possible Democratic candidates for governor in 2010, and it's always a good idea to have friends in high places -- or highly populated places.

But in the short term, Mr. Wagner said yesterday he wants to get himself re-elected to his present job. So far he has no Republican opposition and re-election seems likely.

Mr. Wagner was first elected state auditor general in 2004, after having served 10 years in the state Senate and before that, 10 years on Pittsburgh City Council.

Being auditor general means closely checking how government agencies are spending their money. In his re-election announcement, Mr. Wagner claimed credit for "saving the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars by exposing the waste, fraud and abuse of public funds throughout the commonwealth."

One notable recent audit dealt with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, which gives grants and loans to college students to finance their education. Mr. Wagner said that audit "uncovered $7.5 million in bonuses to hundreds of employees over the last three years."

Mr. Wagner also has audited the Port Authority of Allegheny County and recommended savings.

Mr. Wagner won't talk beyond re-election.

"One race at a time," he said yesterday.

Philadelphia-based Democratic consultant Larry Ceisler said another potential gubernatorial candidate at Mr. Nutter's ceremony was state Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican.

Even though the governor's race is more than two years away, "the money-raising and positioning part of the campaign have already started," said Mr. Ceisler. If both Mr. Wagner and Mr. Onorato run for governor in 2010, they could split the Democratic primary vote in Western Pennsylvania, he added.

"It's hard for me to fathom how both of them could run because they have the same base," Mr. Ceisler said.

Pittsburgh political consultant William J. Green said it makes more sense for Mr. Wagner to run for U.S. Senate in 2010, trying to unseat Republican incumbent Arlen Specter, who is expected to seek re-election.