Former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina has decided that she will run as a Republican candidate for the US Senate from California, seeking to unseat liberal Democrat Barbara Boxer next year.

The pin up of Mike Magee, Fiorina became famous for merging HP with Compaq, making a mega company and losing her job in the process. She is the latest Silicon Valley executive hoping to get on the California ballot next autumn. Former eBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner, an entrepreneur now serving as California's insurance commissioner, are seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

If she wins the nomination then Fiorina would likely be the underdog against a candidate who has served four terms in the Senate and has an edge in decidedly Democratic California. She is also behind Republican state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore in the race for the nomination. All up we don't fancy her chances. (Good thing Steve Jobs isn't running for office. sub.ed.)