Photo by Mr. T in DC

With the D.C. mayoral primary just about 15 months away, it’s about time that people seeking Mayor Vince Gray’s job start stepping up. And Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) is likely to be the first.

The Post reports today that Wells could formally establish an exploratory committee for his mayoral run as early as next month, allowing him to raise money and take on campaign staff:

In recent weeks, Wells has met with potential donors, business leaders and activists, testing out a message of a more responsive government as well as safer and more livable neighborhoods, according to people with knowledge of his plans who spoke anonymously in order to provide details about them. A more formal “listening tour” is expected to follow the committee’s launch, they said.

On Monday, Wells met with about 20 real estate developers and lawyers to discuss the pace of development in the growing area of NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue). Wells did not mention a possible mayoral bid, but several attendees said he delivered a message for a citywide audience.

Wells, who first said last July he’d be willing to give a mayoral run a shot, certainly won’t be the only member of the city’s legislature expected to run: Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) are said to be eyeing the city’s top job, and both gave mayoral-like stump speeches when they were sworn in two weeks ago. (Bowser’s was better than Evans’.) Gray has not yet said if he plans to run again.

A Wells run would be difficult—he’d be the first white mayor since Home Rule—but he’s starting from a good place. Ward 6 has established itself as a voter-rich area; some of the highest turnout in the November election was in parts of Capitol Hill, which Wells can count on as his base. Bowser wouldn’t be far behind, though—Ward 4 often swings citywide elections.