TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Sen. Bill Montford said he won't run to try to become Tallahassee Mayor Bill Montford.
Montford (D-Tallahassee) told WTXL ABC 27 Tuesday that his current position allows him to "do a lot of good."
"It was indeed an honor and very humbling to be asked to run for Mayor of Tallahassee," Montford said in a statement sent to WTXL ABC 27. "While it was wonderful to consider, I took some time to to think about the opportunity. My position within the Senate allows my to do a lot of good for the people of North FL."
In the Senate, he is chair of Commerce and Tourism committee and vice chair of the Communications, Energy and Public Utilities committee.
"Tallahassee is a great city, and I wish anyone who runs for Mayor the best of luck however my time is better spent serving the constituents of the 11 counties I preside over," said Montford. "I am honored to have served eight years in the Senate, and my leadership position will continue to help me better serve those constituents."
A former Leon County Commissioner, Montford was once the superintendent of the Leon County Schools, where he began working as a math teacher in 1969. He later served as an assistant principal and a principal.
Mayor Andrew Gillum, in his first term as mayor, is campaigning to become the next Florida governor.
Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer pulled out of the mayoral race in January.
Two men are in the race to become mayor: Erik David, a veteran who calls himself a "social democrat," and Joe West, a Vietnam veteran.
Montford, who has served in the Senate since 2010, will reach his term limit in 2020.
