The Associated Press has the scoop on U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer's political plans for 2012. And—surprise, surprise (or not)—they don't include a mayoral race. They may not, at least not yet, include plans for another term in Congress.

Blumenauer said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press that the city's agenda would not be best served by him jumping into a campaign.

The eight-term Democrat says he loves Portland but he can be most helpful to the city in other roles.

Blumenauer says he's raising money and laying the groundwork to run for another term in Congress but is putting off a final decision. He says he'll decide later in the year after discussing it with friends and family.

I wrote about a rumored "Blu" run a few months ago, and urged breathless Portlanders way back when not to get too excited.

This is good news for the two declared mayoral candidates, New Seasons co-founder Eileen Brady and former city commissioner Charlie Hales. It's even better news for Mayor Sam Adams, who is running but won't say it publicly yet. Because if Blumenauer really wanted to deal with sewer rates and other rote city business, he'd probably have pasted everyone.