Picking a side in a debate that could split the GOP, gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has come out in favor of the $11 billion water bond that lawmakers recently placed on the November 2010 ballot.

Whitman initially gave a cautious response to the bond, but her press secretary told The Bee today that the candidate would be voting yes.

"Despite the typical Sacramento actions of including additional spending and pet projects that were included in the final language of the water bill, Meg believes providing water to communities across the state is too important to delay the process once again," Sarah Pompei said in an email. "She will vote in support of the measure on the ballot and will work to fix the broken process in Sacramento as governor."

Steve Poizner, who is also seeking the Republican nomination, remains undecided. "We are still reviewing details of the bond and the package as a whole," said spokeswoman Bettina Inclan. Poizner is scheduled to meet with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce on Friday and "he is looking forward to getting feedback from the local community and their thoughts on the water package," she added.

GOP candidate Tom Campbell gave the most positive review in the days after the bond's passage, saying the "fundamentals" of the deal "all appear to be the right ones."

Most Valley farm groups support the bond, which potentially includes money for a proposed dam near Fresno. But some fiscal conservatives have criticized the borrowing, which will cost the state up to $809 million in annual debt service at its peak.

State Sen. Chuck DeVore, who is running for U.S. Senate, and state Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, a lieutenant governor candidate, both voted against the bond in the Legislature and have harshly criticized it.

There is also a split among Democrats. Although legislative leaders voted for the bond, it was opposed by some environmental groups and will likely face criticism from some unions who fear the borrowing could take money from other programs.

Democrat Jerry Brown, who is expected to run for governor, has not yet taken a position on the measure, said spokesman Steven Glazer.