The rocky road to re-election that Gov. Gary Herbert stared down just a few months ago has been smoothed, with his bank account full and another potential challenger -- this time Sen. John Valentine -- dropping out of the race Monday.

"The governor has done a very good job since assuming office, and I haven't heard of another person's name thinking about running," said Utah Republican Party Chairman Dave Hansen.

Valentine, who had been laying the groundwork for a campaign for months, said he could not pinpoint enough areas where he differed from Herbert on issues to challenge the governor for the seat he inherited when Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. stepped down in August to become U.S. ambassador to China.

Valentine said the state's looming budget crisis demanded that senators work with the governor in the upcoming legislative session.

"My attitude on this was that this isn't the time to be divisive and try to drive wedges. Now is the time to pull together," Valentine said. "So I'm not going to run in 2010. Am I going to run in 2012? I don't know yet."

Valentine becomes another in a string of potential Republican challengers who flirted with a bid, then stepped aside. Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce President Lane Beattie and Kirk Jowers, the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics director, had both contemplated challenging Herbert before opting out.

"I think what you're seeing is strategic politicians, smart politicians, making calculations as to the likelihood of beating this guy and the answer is coming out the same for all of them: 'Probably not,'" said Quin Monson, associate director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University. "They'll wait until either he stumbles or there's an open seat." Herbert's spokeswoman, Angie Welling, said the governor looks forward to working with Valentine, but isn't focusing on the political ramifications of the senator's announcement.

"Right now it's not something that's on his mind on a daily basis because he has a job to do," she said.

On the Democratic side, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is being urged to run and is exploring the possibility.

The alignment of political planets for Herbert has been a stark contrast to the circumstances confronted by former Gov. Olene Walker, who inherited the seat from Gov. Mike Leavitt when he went to Washington to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Eight Republican challengers -- including Herbert -- jumped in to challenge Walker, although Herbert dropped out to run as Huntsman's No. 2. Walker was bounced at the Republican convention.

"I think the difference is [Herbert] expressed his ambition earlier as a solo candidate, and I think has kind of actively been running for governor, even when Huntsman was still around," Monson said. "I don't think [Walker] ever did that until she was going to be the accidental governor and by then it was too late. The knives were out."

In addition to Jowers, Beattie and Valentine, others had also opted out of the race.

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who had been seen as a potential challenger, jumped into the U.S. Senate race instead, but recently dropped out, citing his daughter's health concern.

His spot in the GOP Senate field was filled by medical-device magnate Fred Lampropoulos, who had told The Tribune in May that he was interested in running for governor.

Overstock.com founder Patrick Byrne, whose name has been mentioned in some circles, said he'd consider running "when it's scientifically proven that hell has frozen over."

Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, who is frequently mentioned as a gubernatorial contender, said there is no way he will run.

Herbert raised about $1 million in his first annual gala, a record for the long-standing event, which gives him a big advantage in the campaign.