MADISON - Madison businessman Kevin Conroy says he is considering a run for governor as a Democrat.

Conroy said Thursday he is exploring a run but he declined further comment.

Gov. Jim Doyle was asked about Conroy's potential run earlier in the day and praised the president and chief executive officer of biotech company Exact Sciences Corp.

Doyle called Conroy an effective and creative businessman who's accomplished a lot at a young age. The 44-year-old Conroy's company is working on commercializing cancer-screening technology.

The Democratic Party is without a major candidate after Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton unexpectedly withdrew from the race Monday. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is considering a run and said he will announce soon.