Doug Oliver, Former Nutter Aide, Considers Mayoral Run

Doug Oliver, Mayor’s Press Secretary. Copyright City of Philadelphia. Photograph by Mitchell Leff.

Doug Oliver, who served as Mayor Michael Nutter’s spokesman at the beginning of his first term, will launch an exploratory committee today — called “DO2015” — to decide whether he should make his own run for mayor.

The official announcement at 10:30 a.m. in The Bellvue Hotel.

From the press release:

First and foremost, DO2015 seeks to empower Philadelphia voters of all political persuasions to reclaim their voice and reassert their ownership of their City. Its goal is twofold: to increase voter participation in the 2015 Mayoral election by 15%, and to determine if the requisite support exists to sustain a Mayoral candidacy of Doug Oliver.

The launch of DO2015 represents the beginning of a real change in the way politics are conducted in Philadelphia. This non-traditional, grassroots exploratory process for the 2015 Mayor’s race will combine direct face-to-face outreach all across the City, with modern social and digital technology to connect with Philadelphians, hear their concerns and encourage them to become directly involved in determining the future of Philadelphia.

Terry Gillen and Ken Trujillo are already declared candidates; State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and farmer D.A. Lynne Abraham are expected to formally declare on Wednesday, in separate announcement. Philly Mag’s Patrick Kerkstra will analyze the evolving mayor’s race later today here at PhillyMag.com.