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Even as Gaithersburg City Councilman Ryan Spiegel solicits contributions for his state campaign finance fund via his Web site, the 31-year-old says he is keeping his options open for 2010.

Spiegel, a seventh-year associate at a Washington, D.C. law firm, has been discussed in political circles as a potential candidate for delegate in District 17, which comprises Gaithersburg, Rockville and Garrett Park. As of Tuesday, Spiegel had more than $800 in his fund, well below the more than $42,000 he raised in his 2006 campaign for delegate.

Spiegel may find an opportunity to run because of the heated race for the District 17 state Senate seat. Cheryl C. Kagan, who served as a District 17 delegate from 1994 to 2002, is challenging longtime state Sen. Jennie M. Forehand of Rockville. Should Forehand, who has served 14 years in the Senate and four terms as delegate, decide to retire rather than fight, one of District 17's sitting members, Del. Kumar Barve, Del. James W. "Jim" Gilchrist and Del. Luiz Simmons, could challenge Kagan for the seat and leave an opening.

Contributing to the speculation that District 17 may have a vacant delegate seat are recently-released campaign finance reports showing that Gilchrist has raised minimal campaign funds. Gilchrist had about $8,700 in his campaign fund as of Tuesday; Simmons had more than $29,000; Barve had more than $73,000.

"I'm trying to make it clear that I haven't made any decision at all about 2010 but I think it's important to be prepared just in case," Spiegel said Thursday. "I'm not announcing or formally exploring any particular race at this time, I'm just making sure that my campaign team has the resources necessary should the right opportunity arise."

Spiegel, who nearly defeated Gilchrist for state delegate in 2006, said he is always on the lookout for opportunities. Elected to the Gaithersburg City Council in 2007, he believes his experience would serve him well in future political endeavors.

"Public office is a lot more about sacrifice than I think some people realize," Spiegel said. "And I think for anybody who is passionate about public service, there comes forks in the road where you have to decide what's the best thing for you and your family, what's the best thing for the community."