WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Neil Abercrombie plans to run for governor of Hawaii next year.

The congressman will make his announcement through an Internet video on Sunday, said an official familiar with Abercrombie's plans.

A brief statement from his campaign office said, "Congressman Neil Abercrombie will be en route to Honolulu this weekend to meet with his family and close advisors to evaluate his options for the 2010 election cycle. No formal announcement of his plans have been made."

Abercrombie's office in Washington told The Advertiser he was flying to Honolulu.

Still, the 10-term congressman has been hinting for weeks that he would soon make a decision — and that his decision would be to seek the governor's post.

After attending a rally last month of supporters of President Barack Obama in Kona, Abercrombie posted audio recordings on his blog that in part stated, "We're going to bring change all the way to Washington Place in 2010."

He also said a "second wave is coming of hope and change, and that's going to manifest itself in 2010."

If he goes through with it, Abercrombie would be the first major Democrat to enter the party's primary contest, which could eventually include Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa. Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona has already started running for the Republican nomination, the only major GOP candidate to do so.

An Abercrombie race for governor also would open one of the state's two congressional seats to what could be a spirited battle. Former Democratic Rep. Ed Case has already voiced a desire to run for the seat if Abercrombie sought the governor's office. Hannemann is also considered a possible Democratic candidate.

On the GOP side, Honolulu Councilman Charles K. Djou is already running for the nomination and has met with the national party in Washington, D.C.

Abercrombie has served in the House of Representatives since 1991. Before that, he was a longtime member of the Hawaii state Legislature and a member of the Honolulu City Council.

In Congress, he serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.

Abercrombie told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of his intentions last night, according to staffers at his Washington, D.C., office.

Republican Linda Lingle can't seek re-election in 2010 because of term limits.