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City Councilmember Polly Armstrong, District 8, announced Tuesday that she will not run for re-election in November, ending months of speculation. 

“I just decided that I had done as much as I could for the district and the city,” she said, “and I’m used up.” 

Armstrong, one of four “moderates” on the nine-member council, said she was tired of the constant fighting and gridlock that characterize the body’s Tuesday night meetings. 

“The last 12 months, particularly, have been very dispiriting,” she said. “Every vote was 5-4, whether it was the sun coming up, or the end of the world. I began asking myself if it was a waste of time.”  

Armstrong’s announcement kicked off a flurry of speculation around who might run for her seat. Gordon Wozniak, an Armstrong ally on the Planning Commission, said he is “thinking very seriously about running.” 

Armstrong indicated that she would support Wozniak if he ran for office. 

Becky O’Malley, who serves on the Landmarks Commission, said she is considering a run. “It’s a public service thing,” she said. “People do owe something to the city.” 

O’Malley said she identifies as a “progressive,” but added that she does not believe “that all change is progress.” 

Two others mentioned as potential candidates – Mary Ann McCamant, a former member of the Planning Commission, appointed by Armstrong, and Janice Thomas, president of the Panoramic Hill Association – said they will not run. 

Armstrong said her proudest accomplishments in office include instituting curbside plastic recycling and pushing for transit passes for university students. Armstrong added that she was pleased she could play a role in the “renaissance” of downtown Berkeley, particularly the arts district. 

“The downtown Berkeley that I see today is so different from what was ther eight years ago,” she said. 

Mayor Shirley Dean said she is sorry to see Armstrong go. “Polly has been, always, a valuable member of the council and I’m sorry to see that she will not be running for re-election,” she said. 

“I’ve got to work hard to make sure that the next councilmember in District 8 is an ally,” Dean added. 

Progressive Councilmember Kriss Worthington had muted praise for Armstrong, focusing on her effort, last year, to put orange flags in place at busy intersections for pedestrians crossing the street. 

“It might be dumb,” he said. “But it might be brilliant. If you laugh too much, you might miss something good.” 

Worthington said the race for the vacant District 8 seat should generate heavy interest, as it is one of only a handful of open seat races in the last decade in Berkeley. 

Armstrong said she would like to move into a private sector job when she leaves the City Council. But, she fantasizes about a stint in Paris before taking a new job. 

“On long Tuesday nights, when I’d feel like a bug pinned to a wall,” she said, “I dreamed about another life in Paris.”