Ninth Ward Council Member Gary Schiff said Friday that he will decide in January whether or not he plans to run for mayor of Minneapolis next year. If not, he said, he will run for re-election to his council seat.

Mayor R.T. Rybak has previously said he will decide before January 1 whether to seek a fourth term.Schiff acknowledged Friday that Rybak "remains very popular" and it would be difficult to win if he is competing against him. Schiff said Rybak's decision to seek a fourth term would be a factor in whether Schiff throws his hat in the ring.

"If he (Rybak) runs I will have to take it into consideration," Schiff said.

The Star Tribune previously reported that Schiff is considering a mayoral run. Schiff said Friday he has been sounding out people out about a possible mayoral candidacy and "I am finding support...."