Now that the books have closed on the Oregon Legislature's 2011 session, one prominent Democrat has made official what many wonks and wags have been discussing for a few weeks: State Representative Mary Nolan is running for Portland City Council.

And she'll be trying her luck against the only incumbent up for re-election next year, Amanda Fritz—and not against Steve Novick, who declared last week for the seat being vacated by Randy Leonard. Nolan, it seems, is the mystery Fritz opponent I first reported was waiting in the wings a couple of weeks ago.

It's certainly an interesting choice for Nolan. As incumbents go, Fritz is unusually vulnerable. She can't draw from public financing like she did the last two times she ran for council (winning only the last time). She's often on the losing end of council votes. And she's come under heavy fire for her management of the newborn Portland Office of Equity and the city's new 911 dispatch system.

Nolan's announcement even carries a subtle dig at her opponent, playing up Fritz's favorite themes but noting Fritz's perceived lack of effectiveness (can you spot the grammar mistake?):

That means actually getting important things done, not just talking about getting things done. Whether it’s controlling the cost of city services or insuring every neighborhood shares in Portland’s success, I will bring a sense of urgency to decisions at City Hall.

Update 11:15 am: Nolan has apparently hired Ben Unger as campaign spokesman. Unger is fresh from the failed school bond campaign, an effort backed by super consultant Mark Wiener. (Yet another reason Nolan isn't taking on Novick, also a Wiener client?) Unger has sent out a more formal release that details Nolan's background and modest list of endorsements (including ex-Governor Barbara Roberts.) (Another update: The endorsement list on the press release is nowhere near as interestingly impressive as the actual list on Nolan's website.)

Read her announcement letter below:

Dear Friends:

Today I announced my candidacy for Portland City Council. This campaign will be about delivering results that consistently make Portland a better place to live, work, and thrive.

That means actually getting important things done, not just talking about getting things done. Whether it’s controlling the cost of city services or insuring every neighborhood shares in Portland’s success, I will bring a sense of urgency to decisions at City Hall.

This will be a grassroots campaign: built on your ideas and your advice. Ask me tough questions and make bold suggestions. Invite me to learn about your business, visit your neighborhood or understand your group’s concerns.

I believe a vibrant Portland needs a city government that delivers services dependably and frugally, promotes a robust private sector economy and — very important to me — protects the values and natural legacy that define us as Portlanders and Oregonians.

That’s the kind of leadership I’ve delivered as a business owner, environmental innovator, legislator, and community leader:

At the City of Portland I organized coalitions and helped lead landmark improvements in protecting our clean water and environment, launching curbside recycling, repairing our roads and managing public resources to save millions of dollars while bringing projects in on-time and on-budget.
In the private sector I helped build a successful aviation business and managed complex financial operations. I established a successful track record of real world experience, just the thing we need on the City Council to promote a strong local economy and help locally-based small businesses succeed.
As a legislator and a community leader I am very proud to have earned a reputation as a champion of our Portland values: environmental stewardship, women’s rights (especially the right to choose), LGBT rights and economic fairness.

As the campaign progresses, we will continue to keep you posted on the issues that matter to you and other Portlanders, about my plans for city government and ways for you to get involved in shaping this campaign and Portland’s future. As we get started, I would love to hear from you! Please send me your questions and ideas.

It’s about results. It’s about Portland. It’s about time.

Let’s make this place we call home even better, together!

Mary Nolan

And the release, if you want to keep reading.

Longtime civic leader, businesswoman and current State Representative Mary Nolan today announced that she is a candidate for Portland City Council, running for Commissioner Position 1. The seat is currently held by Amanda Fritz.

“Portland is a vibrant city, where young families, innovative entrepreneurs, great educators, and environmental advocates all feel part of the community. We have a spectacular natural heritage, smart hardworking people with wonderful values which have rightly earned Portland an international reputation for innovation and livability,” said Nolan. “But city government’s execution doesn’t always meet our needs or our potential. I am running as someone who has a proven record of solving tough problems and delivering results that matter, while standing up for Portland values.”

With her blend of extensive private sector, public sector and advocacy successes, Mary Nolan will bring a unique set of skills, experience and priorities to the City Council.

For more than 30 years, Mary Nolan has been one of Portland and Oregon’s civic leaders. Her grassroots activism helped secure rights for women and especially a woman’s right to choose; pushed for protection of Oregon’s clean water, air, forests and farmland; stood up for human rights and the rights of lesbian and gay Oregonians; and helped build clinics to deliver affordable health care to the community. She is a dedicated community volunteer for Portland’s schools, open spaces, performing arts and other local causes.

Nolan also has extensive successful business experience, helping build a successful aviation business in Oregon and managing complex financial operations in the utility and banking industries. She was elected Chair of the Portland Private Industry Council in the 1980’s by local business leaders and was also elected to chair NASA’s public-private research consortium by her national business peers.

As a legislator, Nolan has represented Southwest Portland in the Oregon House since 2001, earning a solid record of defending schools and education funding, protecting Oregon’s environment and standing for economic fairness. She has served as House Majority Leader and Co-Chair of Ways and Means.

Finally, Nolan runs for City Council with a strong record of accomplishments in Portland City Government. As the head of the Bureau of Environmental Services and earlier as Director of Public Works Maintenance, she helped lead landmark improvements in protecting the Willamette River and environment, launching curbside recycling, repairing Portland roads and bridges, and managing public resources to save millions of dollars while bringing projects in on-time and on-budget.

“This campaign will be about getting important things done, instead just talking about getting things done, said Nolan. “Whether it’s controlling the cost of city services or insuring every neighborhood shares in Portland’s success, I will bring a sense of urgency to decisions at City Hall.”

Nolan starts the race for City Council with an impressive list of endorsements from elected officials, business people and community leaders, including Governor Barbara Roberts, John Russell (LEED-certified builder with Russell Fellows Properties), Roy Jay (founder of Project Clean Slate and local entrepreneur), Elizabeth Newhall MD, former Republican Secretary of State Norma Paulus, former Democratic Congresswoman Darlene Hooley and State Rep. Jeff Barker (retired Portland police lieutenant). Tom Kelly, President of Neil Kelly Company, summed it up this way: “Mary Nolan brings a rare combination: the real-world experience of building and running a business and an impressive record of public service at both the city and state levels. She knows when and how to lead, from business innovation to timely service-delivery to tight financial controls. Portlanders stand a lot to gain by putting Mary Nolan on the City Council.”