Pittsburgh Councilman William Peduto announced yesterday that he will not run for mayor as an independent, an option he had kept open upon his withdrawal from the Democratic primary last month.

The move means Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will almost certainly not face a politically experienced challenger in his bid to win election to serve out the term of the late Mayor Bob O'Connor.

"I am a Democrat," Mr. Peduto said in a press release. "Even though a registration change would have been temporary, I believe that running as an independent would be a divisive move. A majority of local Democrats want to reform Pittsburgh, and an independent candidacy would drive a wedge between the reform movement and the Democratic Party."

He said he will spearhead an organization called Reform Pittsburgh NOW, focusing on finding "innovative solutions" to problems in public safety, transit, neighborhood revitalization and open government.

He said he will return unspent campaign contributions to the contributors.