Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty Will Not Seek Re-Election

Scranton, Lackawanna County - There was a big political announcement from the mayor of Scranton late Friday afternoon.

After three terms in office, mayor Chris Doherty says he will not be seeking re-election.

The mayor announced his decision publicly  around 4:00 PM.

Before becoming mayor, Doherty owned a business with his brother and he says its time to go back into the private sector.

Doherty has led the city of Scranton for the last 11 years.

He says he finalized his decision over the holiday.

"I had conversations with my family and we looked at the future and we felt this was a good time we go back to the private sector and spend more time together," Doherty said.

Before becoming mayor, Doherty was also a councilman for four years.

The year 2012 was arguably the most challenging for Scranton.

Scranton got international attention for its money problems, especially when Doherty cut 400 city hall workers to minimum wage pay.

He says his decision not to seek re-election is not him "ducking and running" from any problems.

"Cities like Scranton will always be faced with challenges just because of the legacy costs that are dealt with," Doherty said. "Whoever is mayor will always have challenges, whether its finances that face them and as you are the mayor you deal with them and go on."

Doherty says he is proud of the fact that he has been able to transform the city's park system and create downtown living while in office.

Doherty will remain mayor for the next year.

He says he plans to stay silent as the list of potential successors emerges and will not pubicly support anyone at this time.