If Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) is worried about his re-election prospects next year, he certainly isn’t letting on. Barry hasn’t yet filed his re-election paperwork, nor has he picked up nominating petitions to get himself on the ballot.

Plenty of other people have, though, including his former spokesperson.

Natalie Williams, who once worked for Barry, announced yesterday that she was running for his seat on the D.C. Council. In a statement, Williams said:

As a candidate for the City Council for Ward 8, I want to make it very clear. I am not running against anyone, but instead, running for you, my fellow neighbors. I am running against unemployment, against substandard education, against poverty, and against lack of access of high quality health care.

I am running for increased employment opportunities, quality and equitable education for all Ward 8 residents, for a reduction in the dependency on government subsidies, and improved health services for all residents. I am also running to raise the level of integrity, pride, and inclusiveness throughout our entire Ward 8 family so that we may truly be the GREAT Ward 8!

In August, Williams ran for president of the Ward 8 Democrats, but lost. Not only is she a former Barry employee, but Williams also served as a campaign spokesperson for another Ward 8 challenger — Jacque Patterson — during his run for an At-Large seat on the council earlier this year.

Along with Patterson, Williams will have to contend with a crowded field in order to unseat Barry. Currently, there are five other candidates lining up to vie for the seat, including ANC commissioners Darrell Gaston and Sandra “S.S.” Seegars and Peaceaholics co-founder Jauhar Abraham. Historically, Barry has done well against a large slate of contenders.

As for when he plans on jumping in the race, one person with knowledge of Ward 8 politics told me that the wait is classic Barry. While his challengers have jumped in early, I was told, Barry will wait until he’s ready to announce his intentions, effectively creating a media spectacle for himself.