Richmond City Council president Bill Pantele is running for mayor.

After weeks of speculation, Pantele made the announcement Wednesday evening at the Renaissance on East Broad Street in front of nearly 100 people.

A seven-year council veteran and president since 2006, Pantele told supporters it was time for change now.

"I want to fulfill the promise of this great capital city," he said. "Five years ago, we were frustrated by the poorly-run government, the poor ethics and the city was not reaching its potential so we moved to an elected mayor form of government to put aside politics, unify the region and realize those dreams. Today, we're still unfulfilled.

"I'm running because people want progress now. We're going to fulfill the promise together and do it right. Progress begins and ends with leadership and that means real accountability, real cooperation and keeping promises."

Though he mostly focused on his goals for the city, which include building new schools, balanced river-front development, bringing the area together as a region and working with schools and council, Pantele also took jabs at current Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, who announced two weeks ago that he would not run for re-election.

"I'm not a representative of a group or clique. I'm not in it for the trappings of the office," he said. "I will drive myself to work. Chauffeurs need not apply. I want to be the people's mayor."

During his speech, Pantele commended the work of city auditor Umesh Dalal, who attended the fundraiser, and pointed out that though the school had begun implementing some of the audit's cost-saving measures, the Wilder administration had not. 

At least two council members, Reva Trammell (8th) and Kathy Graziano (4th) attended as well.

Given the impending departures of the schools' superintendent, School Board chairman, police chief and current mayor, Pantele said this role would be the most important in the history of Richmond.

"It's not just about vision, but it's also about having the experience to make it happen," he said. "It's more important than ever that your mayor be knowledgeable, experienced, confident and working every day for you."

Before he spoke to the crowd, Pantele, an attorney, said he'd been mulling the decision since the winter. If he does not win the election, Pantele will lose his council seat as well because he cannot run for both offices.

"This spring, I decided it may be safer to run for my council seat, but there are so many things I want to do in many areas, but lack the authority," he said. "This wasn't the time to be safe."

Pantele said it was a personal decision to wait until after the budget was adopted Tuesday night to announce his decision. The mayor's announcement that he would not seek re-election had no effect on his decision, Pantele said, adding that he'd always anticipated the mayor would run.

Pantele joins four other candidates who have announced their intention to run for mayor: state Delegate Dwight Jones, architect Lawrence Williams, attorney Paul Goldman and Donnie "Dirtwoman" Corker. The deadline to file is June 10.