Duluth Mayor Don Ness announced Sunday morning on Facebook that he won't run for re-election in 2015. He had been considering whether to run for several months. He wrote in the post that he would be turning off his phone Sunday and would be in the woods with his wife and kids.

His entire post is here:

I've decided not run to for re-election in 2015. I feel good and at peace with the decision. I hope my friends will feel the same.

My natural inclination right now is to delve into a detailed explanation of all the factors that went into the decision. But, I'll spare you that (at least for now) in order to put adequate emphasis on this:

Thank You!

I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my friends, co-workers, family, and this community for the opportunity to be mayor of the city I love. Folks have been so generous in their patience and support through challenging times and my own struggles in office. I've relied heavily on others and I am so grateful for their willingness to help.

It's important to me that we not put undue importance on the decision. I've tried to do this job well and I know the next person to hold the job will do the same. If I thought for a moment that my role was necessary for our continued success, I would run again. But it's not. The progress we've made as a city continues because it's based on the strengths of our city and efforts of thousands – the mayor is just one of many.

I hope my friends see this and to know how thankful I am for your support over the years. To paraphrase a song that my brother Jamie wrote… I am so proud of what my friends are doing with their lives and the people they've become. I hope I make them proud in the same way.

Tomorrow comes and it's just another day. I've got big plans for the rest of my term; I want to take full advantage of each and every day I have left. This decision has only increased my sense of urgency to accomplish as much as I possibly can in these remaining months.

Today, I'm with Laura and the kids out in the woods. After sending this message, I'm turning off my phone and won't be available for the rest of the day. I'll be back in Duluth and in the office tomorrow.

Again, thank you. I can't say it enough.