Venture capitalist Gina Raimondo, a liberal and frequent contributor to Democratic candidates, is organizing a campaign for state treasurer, setting the stage for a potential battle for overlapping support between herself and recently announced candidate Tom Sgouros.

Raimondo wasn't immediately available for comment, but I'll add some of what she has to say if and when she gets back to me.

A source familiar with Raimondo calls her pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and someone who has created a lot of jobs through her venture capital work at Providence-based Point Judith Capital. The company Web site describes her this way:

Gina leads the firm's healthcare investing, with a focus on medical device and healthcare information technology companies.  She represents Point Judith on the boards of GetWellNetwork, Spirus Medical, NABsys, Novare Surgical and Swissray.

Before joining Point Judith, Gina was the Senior Vice President of Fund Development at Village Ventures (backed by Bain Capital, Highland Capital).  In that role she managed the team that established twelve venture capital funds nationwide and raised over $250MM of capital across the network of funds.  As part of the founding team of Village Ventures, she was involved in all aspects of the company's operations and strategic decision making.  While at Village Ventures, Gina also led investments in several early-stage companies including Healthleaders (acq. by Decision Resources).  Prior to joining Village Ventures, Gina practiced law and clerked for a United States District Court Judge in the Southern District of New York.

Gina received a BA from Harvard University, a law degree from Yale University, and a doctorate from Oxford where she was a Rhodes Scholar.  She currently serves on several non-profit boards, the board of the New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA), and is a trustee of Women and Infants Hospital.  Additionally, Gina is a member of the Rhode Island and New York bars.

Sgouros, well-respected among liberals for his policy analysis, has been ramping up his campaign, and he attracted a key endorsement this week from three-time gubernatorial candidate Myrth York:

I have something very exciting to share. After years of doing some of the smartest policy thinking and research in Rhode Island, my friend Tom Sgouros, Jr has announced his candidacy for Rhode Island's General Treasurer. You can find his announcement at www.tomfortreasurer.com.                              

Since the early 1990's, Tom has worked alongside and for progressive candidates -- like me -- and community organizations. In the last 6 years he has expanded his reach by publishing his own policy journal and syndicated column addressing the tough policy questions facing our state.                 

Now, he's ready to take his knowledge and expertise to the State House. As General Treasurer, he'll be able to help all of us in Rhode Island by managing the state's money better, so that there is more to invest in our schools, our roads and bridges and natural resources, and most importantly, in creating jobs.

Beyond Raimondo and Sgouros, state Senator William Walaska has called himself more likely than not to join the race for treasurer.