When we asked him last week if he was considering a run, Erik Sten’s chief of staff Jim Middaugh said he wasn’t.

But he’s spent the past few days calling his friends and political allies, seeing if there’s support for a quick-and-dirty bid to become a clean money candidate (he’d have three weeks to collect 1,000 $5 contributions and signatures; It took Sten two months to do that in 2006, and the form was much simpler then).

What he’s heard has been encouraging, Middaugh says. He’ll make an official decision by Monday, but as of right now he’s leaning toward fighting for his boss’ seat, to carry the torch on issues of affordable housing and climate change.

“It’s fun and exciting to think about,” Middaugh says. “Certainly nothing I’ve been planning.”

Here’s more on Middaugh from his staff bio:

Jim previously was the City’s Science, Fish & Wildlife Program Manager — making him responsible for leading Portland’s response to the Endangered Species Act. Prior to joining the City, Jim was public affairs manager for the Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Council. He has also been a staff member for Oregon Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Jim Weaver. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon.

Would he pull a Dozono, and opt not to run if he couldn’t conjure up the 1,000 signatures and contributions by January 31 (as mayoral candidate Sho Dozono has pledged)? Middaugh says he’s not ruling anything out, or ruling anything in at this point.

If Middaugh does run, he’ll be competing against another chief of staff—Brendan Finn, who works for Commissioner Dan Saltzman.