Rather quickly, the Democratic field for Secretary of State appears to be getting crowded ... though it might offer a glimpse of some things to come.

Today, Gary Horlacher, a longtime player in Democratic players, just announced his candidacy, while Gail Buckner quietly jumped into the race within the past two weeks. In addition, Darryl Hicks is seeking the seat as well. This comes just as there is increased chatter that Vernon Jones might seek the nomination as well.

Buckner ran for the seat in 2006 and lost to Karen Handel, but her entry into the race isn't that shocking. Horlacher, who worked as press secretary for Roy Barnes during his campaign for governor in 1998, is rather interesting. Given that, for the past few months, we've heard all sorts of rumors that Barnes was working to assemble a slate of candidates to run on a unified platform, having someone with close ties to him seeking another statewide office adds more intrigue to the mix.

Barnes, based on what I've heard from multiple sources, is planning on jumping into the race ... and, from those same sources, his entry would presumably force out at least one, if not two, of the three declared candidates for governor on the Democratic side.