AUGUSTA – State Sen. Chandler Woodcock of Farmington Wednesday became the third Republican to signal his intention to run for governor in 2006 while Democratic Gov. John E. Baldacci took the formal steps to trigger his re-election campaign.

Both men filed their campaign paperwork Wednesday with the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, a prerequisite for raising money for campaign expenses.

Baldacci, according to members of his campaign, plans to run a privately funded re-election bid while Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, and Republican businessman Stephen Stimpson of Bangor, are collecting contributions to qualify for publicly funded campaigns. Woodcock, who said he will formally announce his intentions on Oct. 12 at the State House, also envisions a publicly funded campaign.

Woodcock, perceived as the more conservative candidate among the three Republicans, returned his papers two days after Peter Cianchette, who lost to Baldacci in the 2002 election. Cianchette who had planned a 2006 comeback, announced he would no longer be a candidate because of family considerations.

Other Republicans rumored to be considering a challenge in what could become a crowded June primary include former congressman David Emery, state Reps. Darlene Curley of Scarborough and David Trahan of Waldoboro, and Boston Red Sox co-owner Les Otten.

Nancy Oden, an independent from Jonesboro, also hopes to run a publicly financed campaign.