Singer in the Melbourne race

Melbourne’s Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer, a key advocate for the Town Hall same-sex relationship register, has formally announced he is running for the top job.

On the steps of Melbourne Town Hall today, Singer, currently deputy lord mayor to outgoing, John So announced his intentions after weeks of speculation.

With a fresh team, we will build, whose roots and experience are firmly in the city, we build on the success of the past team, Singer said.

He announced his running mate will be Joanne Painter, a former Age journalist and now city based business owner.

Singer’s position strengthened earlier this week after indicating he was seriously considering putting his hand up for mayoralty, finally confirming today.

If Singer wins, Melbourne will have its first ever gay mayor.

It marks a decidedly rainbow election ballot, with Tim Wilson from think tank, Institute of Public Affairs this week declaring his nomination for the deputy position.

So far Greens candidates, Adam Brandt and openly lesbian Kathleen Maltzhan will fight out the top positions as well as Labor candidate, Will Fowles.

Catherine Ng a councillor on outgoing mayor John So’s ticket is also running for the top job as well as new Gary Morgan.

Labor party member, Peter McMullin, former Geelong mayor will also run for mayor.

Singer has received much praise from the gay and lesbian community for his key role in establishing the Relationship Declaration Registrar in 2007, allowing opposite and same-sex couples to formally register their relationship with the local council.

Mayoral candidate have until noon, Tuesday October 28 to declare themselves in the running.