Mayor L. Douglas Wilder announced this morning that he will not seek re-election this year.

Wilder, 77, was Richmond's first elected mayor after a change in the city's government structure four years ago. His term ends in December.

"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 news release.

"Unprecedented gains in public safety have been made under the helm of Police Chief Rodney Monroe. In terms of economic vitality for our community, we have new businesses -- both major corporate giants and regional and smaller firms -- choosing to locate here and bring jobs back into the city. In terms of improving public education here, we have succeeded in cracking the shell to now allow for meaningful dialogue that will address the issues facing our school system and our youth.

"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.

"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."

The news came the morning after Monroe, who has been a key bright spot in the often tumultuous Wilder administration, announced he was leaving for the top cop job in Charlotte, N.C.

Four people have announced their intention to seek the mayor job--state Delegate Dwight Jones, former Wilder consultant Paul Goldman, architect Lawrence Williams and Donnie Corker. Councilman Bill Pantele has not publicly made a decision.

In a news release, Jones called Wilder an iconic figure in Virginia politics.

"As the first African-American Governor in our nation's history, Doug Wilder opened doors for many African-American candidates throughout the country. As the first directly elected mayor of Richmond in over 60 years, Doug Wilder will be remembered for bringing Richmond into an executive form of government," he said.

"Over the next several months I will be laying out my agenda to build a better Richmond, which includes creating a world-class education system and restoring financial accountability to city government. It includes sustaining Richmond’s reputation as a good place to do business and providing a safety net to protect the least among us.

"I commend Mayor Wilder for his service to both to the city of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and look forward to the campaign to succeed him as the next mayor of Richmond."