Can Christy Mihos succeed Deval Patrick as governor?

Riding high from a string of recent political triumphs, Gov. Deval Patrick apparently isn’t scared of a little competition.

Asked yesterday about former gubernatorial candidate Christy Mihos’ plan to take on the governor in 2010, Patrick was confident, saying: “Look, I’m sure there are others who are thinking about running against me, and I look forward to meeting them in my re-election campaign.”

Mihos, an independent who helped split the vote against Patrick in 2006, already has launched a campaign Web site and says he’s gearing up to take on the governor again.

The convenience store magnate spent $4 million of his own money last time around and likely would need a huge personal loan once again. His state campaign account currently contains just $1,100.

Speculation has swirled in recent weeks that Patrick could be a one-term governor if his friend and ally Barack Obama wins the presidency, but Patrick has flatly rejected any such rumors.

UPDATE: More from Michael Graham, the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

SECOND UPDATE: More from the Herald and Boston Globe.