State Representative Joseph Trillo (R-Warwick) is bracing for a gubernatorial bid.

In a surprise move, the conservative and outspoken, anti-tax legislator who owns AAA Customs Alarms, said he’s in the process of forming an exploratory committee to propel his bid for Governor in 2010.

Trillo, who doubles as the state’s Republican National Committeeman, said it’s “not carved in stone” he will run, but said he’s leaning in that direction right now.

“I’m forming a committee to advise me. I’m also meeting with consultants and talking with other knowledgeable people—not only from Rhode Island but also people from all over the country. I’m just taking the preliminary steps to become Governor,” said Trillo during a series of telephone interviews throughout the last week.

Trillo said he’s already named five people to his exploratory committee, and plans to add several more throughout the next few weeks. Trillo said he didn’t want to reveal the names of the people on the committee until he had cleared it with them.

A close ally of current Governor Donald L. Carcieri, Trillo said he thinks he’s the most qualified person in the state to carry on what he considers the governor’s anti-tax legacy.

“I just think I’m the optimal choice right now,” said Trillo. “I feel like I’m the next best person to take over the reigns of this state and steer us into prosperity once again.”

Trillo has already received the backing of one prominent Warwick Republican—Mayor Scott Avedisian.

“I have encouraged Joe to run. I have been friendly with him for years now and when he and I discussed his desire to run for Governor as a GOP candidate I encouraged him to do so,” said Avedisian.

Trillo’s former colleague, Republican Carol Mumford, who represented Scituate and Cranston for 10 years before retiring this year, said she thinks highly of Trillo and is sure he’d make a good governor.

But Mumford said she’s already committed to supporting former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey.

Laffey’s gubernatorial aspirations have been the worst kept secret in Rhode Island over the last year or so. And while Laffey hasn’t talked publicly about running, he’s considered the favorite by most to secure the Republican nomination—if not the office itself.

“After I saw how [Laffey] turned around the city of Cranston, from having the worst credit rating in the country into one of the best, I thought he would make a good governor,” said Mumford.

Mumford also said it isn’t lost on her that much of Governor Carcieri’s supplemental budget, which features increased management rights to local municipalities, was proposed by Laffey in 2005 in what he called his “taxpayer relief act.” The bill, sponsored by Republicans in the Democrat-dominated General Assembly, went nowhere. In 2005 however, the state wasn’t dealing with a budget problem anywhere near today’s $357 million budget hole. Mumford said that shows the type of foresight the state needs in the governor’s office.

Laffey, who was out of the state, couldn’t be reached for comment by press time. Warwick State Representative Al Gemma (D-Warwick) said he couldn’t believe people were already talking about the 2010 elections.

“I’m worried about these problems we have right now and doing this job. I’m not worried about the 2010 election yet,” said Gemma.

“It reminds me of when someone asked Bob Dole if he was running for president in 1994 and he said, ‘I’m thinking about lunch, not the presidential election.’” But Gemma said he would support Republican Trillo despite the fact that he’s a Democrat.

“I think he’d do a great job as Governor; but hey, keep in mind, he is my cousin,” said Gemma.

“Blood is thicker than water you know.”