Current Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin will run for reelection to the Seattle City Council instead of making a run for mayor of the city, as some have predicted.

"Seattle works best when we work together," said Conlin in a statement released from his re-election campaign. "I have the experience, the commitment, and the knowledge to do the job. My task is to work with all of Seattle's communities to create and implement a positive vision for our future."

Conlin was elected to the City Council in November 1997 and reelected in 2001 and 2005. He was selected by his colleagues to serve as council president for 2008-2009.

"These are challenging times," said Conlin. "My goal is to keep Seattle stable and moving forward. I will work toward a new economy, built around green jobs and the unique strengths of Seattle's businesses and people. At the same time, we must support our families and our neighborhoods, especially those who are most affected by the economic downturn."

Conlin chaired the council's Neighborhoods, Sustainability, and Community Development Committee during his first term, and was part of the council that moved 37 neighborhood plans through to approval.

In his second term, Conlin served as chair of the Council's Transportation Committee. Now in his third term, he chairs the Environment, Emergency Management, and Utilities Committee.