One day after District 8 City Councilor Erik Gitschier announced he’d be running at-large instead of in his district, Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director John Descoteaux made his candidacy to replace him official.

Sources indicated yesterday Descoteaux was considering a run, and this morning he made if official, releasing the following statement to InsideLowell:

“Unfortunately in the past, though I had the desire to run, I was unable to run for public office due to other commitments that would have prohibited to giving the needed time to serve, but now I believe that with my retirement drawing near, I would be able to serve the constituents of the Upper Highlands in the manner it deserves.”

Descoteaux, who also serves as Chairman of the city’s Licensing Commission and Treasurer of Team Micky Ward Charities, is slated to retire from the School Department in April of 2024.

He joins Ty Chum, who ran against Gitschier for the seat in the 2021 election, as declared candidates to represent the Upper Highlands neighborhood. JoAnn Keegan, Chair of the Board of Health and daughter of former City Manager and State Senator Joe Tully, is also rumored to be considering a run.