Several city councilors responded with their regrets that the mayor would not run for a third term, and saying they respected what must have been a difficult decision.
"I respect Mayor Bernard's decision as he will get more time to focus on the job instead of an election to finish off his term, which still has 10 months left," said Councilor Keith Bona, the senior member of the council. "A lot can happen in that time."
What will happen in any case is an election and City Councilor Jason LaForest confirmed on Tuesday that he is exploring a run for mayor, noting it was not really a secret.