Chris Hilbert, who publicly considered running for mayor, has announced that he will instead be seeking re-election to his North Side council seat.

Hilbert’s move came in a Twitter announcement the night before Levar Stoney made his entrance to the mayoral race.

Hilbert was one of a dozen potential candidates who attended a mayoral forum held by former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.

A statement from Hilbert read that he considered the city’s needs, his talents, his family and a potentially high turnover for Council seats, in making his decision.

“I have decided that I will be seeking re-election as the City Council Representative of the Northside 3rd District. Next January, the City will have at least 4 new council persons and a new Mayor,” Hilbert wrote in a statement. “It is critical that we have someone with proven leadership experience on the next council. These are serious times that call for serious people and on the job training will not do.”

Council members Kathy Graziano and Charles Samuels aren’t seeking re-election, while Jon Baliles and Michelle Mosby have announced their bids for mayor.