Future Mayor Tommy Wells? Photo by Amber Wilkie

What was for a long time simply a rumor has now become somewhat more official—according to the Post, Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) is laying the groundwork for a mayoral run in 2014:

Wells, a Democrat who represents Ward 6, said he decided to state his intentions to explore a campaign after he received an outpouring of support as he moved across the city over the July 4 holiday.

“A lot of people are saying, ‘Tommy, are you going to run?’ ” Wells said. “People have been asking me to run, so I said, ‘Sure.’­ ”

Wells is the first of his colleagues to formally state his intentions; councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) have also been floated as possible contenders.

Wells has carved out a place for himself as an advocate for “liveable, walkable” neighborhoods, siding with the city’s growing movement of young urbanists. And while he has done well in Ward 6, it still remains to be seen if he could compete citywide. A close advisor tells the Post that Wells has set a goal of raising $2.5 million for the race.