Rybak Won’t Seek 4th Term As Minneapolis Mayor

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he won't seek a fourth term as head of Minnesota's largest city.

Rybak's announcement Thursday comes less than a year before voters in the city of almost 400,000 people pick a mayor. Several potential candidates have expressed interest in running, although some were waiting on the Democratic incumbent's plans.

The decision should ramp up speculation about Rybak's next political move. The 57-year-old has been mentioned as a possible addition to President Barack Obama's administration or a future contender for governor.

Since Rybak won the office in 2001, the city has undergone a dramatic transformation. Two major sports stadiums have been built and a third is on the way. Rybak also took a visible role in the aftermath of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in 2007.

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