The owner of the popular Busboys and Poets restaurant said Monday that he is exploring a run for mayor.
Andy Shallal told the Washington Post that he has interviewed potential campaign staff but would base his decision to run off of fundraising potential.
“I want to be a serious candidate,” Shallal said.
The race hasn’t seen a clear frontrunner yet. But that’s mostly because Mayor Vincent Gray has yet to announce whether or not he will seek reelection – a factor Shallal admitted will play a role in his own decision.
“If the mayor does decide to run, I probably won’t,” he said. “I’m supportive of the mayor and I hope he runs. If he doesn’t, we’ll know there’s some issues, and there’s an opportunity for me.”
Gray remains under federal investigation over a $650,000 “shadow campaign” that has sent some of his closest advisers to court.
In August, Shallal told potential supporters and advisers that he was considering a run for mayor and had said he hoped to make the decision by Labor Day.
Iraqi-born Shallal lives in Adams Morgan and opened his first Busboys and Poets restaurant at 14th and V streets in 2005. The restaurant chain, now with four locations, frequently hosts discussion groups and open mic nights.
If he does run, Shallal will join a field made up of three D.C. Council members, including Foggy Bottom Council member Jack Evans, a former State Department official and a local businessman.
Mayoral candidates can begin collecting signatures for nominating petitions on Nov. 8, and have until Jan. 2 to collect the 2,000 necessary signatures.