Doug Wilder Will Not Run for Re-Election

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder announced today that he will not run for re-election as mayor of Richmond.

"As the first elected mayor under the city's new form of government, I have set the course that will continue to produce meaningful results even as I now announce my leave from this office at the end of the year," Wilder said in a statement.

In the statement, Wilder wrote about improvements in public safety, economic development and education during his tenure.

"I would like to thank all of those who have supported me - from the business community to our regional colleagues to all of our citizens of every walk of life and stripe - for their continued encouragement and commitment,'' he wrote. "There is a new spirit within the city that we have turned the corner since 2005 and are reaching our potential to be all that we can be. We will continue to move our city forward, as we have done, and there will be no interruption in our goals or our determination to so do."

Wilder served one term as mayor, and would have been up for re-election this November. He informed city staff of his decision not to run this morning before sending out a statement to the media.