Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed will not run for U.S. Congress, he announced Saturday on social media.

“After deliberately evaluating where I could make the most positive impact, I have decided not to seek election to the U.S. House of Representatives,” he posted on Instagram.

“Over the last several weeks, my family and I have received overwhelming encouragement for me to run for the 2024 Democratic nomination to represent Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District,” he added. “I thank everyone who has offered support and guidance throughout this process.

“Together, Montgomery has recorded historic job growth, made unprecedented investments in our schools, and laid a foundation to revitalize community hubs throughout the city. There is much more we need to accomplish here and I am excited for the opportunity to continue the work we started in 2019 over the next four years.”

On Friday, Reed participated in a panel discussion in Mobil on the opportunities and challenges for Black-owned businesses in the state. Also involved were Alabama State House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville; and Shomari Figures, the former deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Both have said they are considering running for the seat but neither has yet to announce or qualify.

Recently, Figures said: “To not listen and consider this possibility would be to ignore the people and places at the root of everything I’ve done in my career – those who made me who I am today. And that, I cannot do.”

With the qualifying deadline less than a week away (November 10), only two Democrats have qualified to run – State Rep. Jeremy Gray of Opelika and Willie J. Lenard. State Rep. Napoleon Bracy of Prichard, Sen. Kirk Hatcher of Montgomery have announced they plan to run, and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson have announced their intention to run. Several others have said they are pondering bids.

This story will be updated.