Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante on Thursday joined other high-ranking Democrats in denouncing a recall effort against Gov. Gray Davis and pledged not to take part "in any way" in the effort to remove the Democratic incumbent.

"I will not participate in any way other than to urge voters to reject this expensive perversion of the recall process," Bustamante said in a statement issued by his campaign consultant. He could not be reached for additional comment.

His announcement leaves only U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein as a high-profile Democratic alternative. Campaign strategists from both parties say Feinstein, the most popular politician in the state in nonpartisan polls, would be the Democrats' best chance to hold the office should Davis be recalled. Feinstein is urging voters to oppose a recall but has not publicly ruled out running for the good of her party.

Bustamante's statement came two days after four other Democrats with gubernatorial ambitions -- state Treasurer Phil Angelides, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Controller Steve Westly and Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi -- announced within hours of one another that they did not intend to run on a recall ballot.

Their announcements followed a strategy session with organized labor, in which union activists argued that keeping the Democratic field clear in a majority Democratic state might best serve Davis in fighting a Republican-led recall drive.

When Bustamante did not immediately join the chorus of those saying they would not run, it fueled speculation that he was planning a bid.

Republicans said Thursday that not intending to run is hardly a firm stand; many doubted the sincerity of the pledges made by the other Democrats.

A passage in Bustamante's prepared statement -- "I do not intend to put my name on the ballot" -- left room for the same sort of interpretation.

"All these Democrats are leaving a little bit of weasel room when they talk about their intentions," said GOP political consultant Rob Stutzman.

"Unions are rallying around the governor ... and at this point strongly influencing these Democrats not to promote their careers at Gray Davis' misfortune. That's easy now. It's more difficult once the recall qualifies."

Davis thanked the Democrats who took themselves out of the running this week.

"They, like millions of Californians, know we should be working together to solve the budget crisis," the governor said in a statement. "This effort, fueled by one rich man's personal ambitions, will not create one new job, educate a single child or keep one cop on the beat."

Rep. Darrell Issa, a San Diego County Republican who wants to be governor, is financing most of the recall campaign, which must gather at least 897,158 voter signatures by September in order to hold a recall election by next March.

Another Republican, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to decide on a candidacy soon.

In his statement, Bustamante called on "every good woman and man faced with this decision -- Republican, Democrat or 'Terminator' -- to remember we are all Californians first. The will of many should not be set aside for the ambition of a few.