City Councilor Bill Christiansen announced Thursday he will seek re-election to his District 8 office and will not run for mayor. He has held the seat since 2002.
Christiansen, a Republican who owns Christiansen Aviation, said he was seriously considering a run for mayor since incumbent Kathy Taylor bowed out of the race.
"I hope the citizens of District 8 feel I've done a good job," Christiansen said Thursday. "I've worked very hard to represent them and take care of their needs and issues. I look forward to representing them for another two years."
Christiansen cited the ailing economy as a deterrant to running for mayor, saying it would be difficult to raise the money needed for an effective campaign.
So far, Democrats Tom Adelson and Robert Gwin, Jr. and Republicans Dewey Bartlett, Jr. and Clay Clark have all entered the mayoral race.
The primary will be Sept. 8, and the general election will follow Nov. 10.
