This post was written by Hatchet Reporter Joseph Konig.

Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray announced his candidacy for the Ward 7 D.C. Council seat Thursday.

His bid comes about two years after he lost his mayoral reelection campaign to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. In a press conference Thursday, Gray said he was focused on where he could do the “greatest good” if elected.

“I’m a public servant at heart,” he told WAMU Thursday. “This is an opportunity to continue to do things for people.”

Gray, an alumnus, previously represented Ward 7 from 2005 to 2007 and later served as Council chairman. He has lived in the area for many years, and has spent time fixing up his home there since he left office.

“Ward 7 is home. I’ve lived in Ward 7 for a very long time,” Gray told WAMU. “There is, sadly, wide dissatisfaction at this stage with the representation.”

Council member Yvette Alexander currently represents Ward 7 on the Council. Polling done by a pro-Gray political action committee, Higher Ground PAC, has Gray leading Alexander by 16 points, according to a press release.

Gray’s reelection bid was marred by a years-long federal investigation into a $668,800 illegal campaign fund that allegedly buoyed his 2010 mayoral bid. Federal officials ended that investigation in December without bringing charges against Gray. Gray has since said if it were not for that investigation, he could have coasted to a reelection victory. Several of Gray’s associates were prosecuted as a result of the federal investigation.

“When people ask why I am returning to the campaign trail, I tell them, ‘Because we have a lot of work to do,’” Gray said in a statement Thursday.

The Ward 7 democratic primary will be held June 14.