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Frederick Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger (R) has officially thrown his name in the ring to seek a second term at the head of City Hall.

Holtzinger filed his candidacy paperwork Friday, on the heels of a surprising announcement by presumed competition Alderman Marcia A. Hall (D).

Holtzinger, who has shied away from making a formal announcement, didn't give much insight into his decision to run again, saying that he wants residents to focus more on upcoming city business rather than his plans for the future.

"We got a lot of big issues on the plate, and that's what we need to focus on," Holtzinger said. "People want to see you get stuff done that you said you'd get done. There will be a time for [campaigning] in the summer."

When asked what his main motivation was for seeking re-election, Holtzinger said: "I want to be able to carry through with projects."

A 3-2 vote from the Board of Aldermen Feb. 19 will bring many of Holtzinger's projects to life. The board voted to take on an unprecedented $125 million in debt to fund various infrastructure and capital projects.

Holtzinger, a self-described, "boring, infrastructure guy," will join fellow Republicans Randy McClement and Clint Hoffman on the ticket for the September primary; Jack Lynch is the only Democrat to file for mayor to date.

The filing deadline for candidates is July 7.

One name that Frederick residents won't see on the ballot is Hall's.

To jolted heads from her colleagues and faint gasps from the crowd, Hall announced at the beginning of the most recent Board of Aldermen meeting that she would not seek re-election.

The two-term alderman and presumed Democratic mayoral candidate said that she would instead spend time with her ailing mother in St. Louis and traveling husband.

"You owe it to anyone who's supporting you in a campaign to do it and give it all the time and energy that you have, and I need to devote that time and energy to my family right now," Hall said. "I couldn't waste people's time and money and commit to people's issues, and not be able to deliver on that."

Hall said that she would continue to advocate for the good of the city, and said she hoped that the next administration would continue to build relationships in Annapolis, retain her strong support for a police headquarters and commit to further development of Carroll Creek Park.

Holtzinger said that he was surprised by Hall's announcement, and was looking forward to her being in the race.

"It was certainly a surprise, but I can understand the reasons," Holtzinger said. "Marcia and I generally work pretty well together; we disagree on a lot of things, and we tend to leave the differences in the boardroom."

Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D), who was planning to support Hall in the mayoral race, said Hall's announcement was "absolutely shocking" and would encourage her to "personally seek out strong Democratic candidates" for the mayoral ticket.

Holtzinger and Hall are the only incumbents to announce candidacy plans so far.

The city's primary election will take place on Sept.3. The general election is set for Nov.3.

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.