Ward 6 Councilmartyr Saint Tommy Wells says he’ll be launching an exploratory committee for mayor on Monday, as well as kicking off a more official “listening tour” that night at the Big Chair Coffee & Grill in Anacostia.

It’s no secret that Wells has been exploring a run for mayor for quite some time. Launching an exploratory committee just makes it semi-official that Wells will be a candidate the next time there’s a mayor’s race. And though an exploratory committee doesn’t necessarily guarantee a run, Wells tells LL it’s “likely” he’s going to run for mayor.

While it may seem early for a candidate to start running for a race in 2014 at the beginning of 2013, keep in mind that next year’s all-important Democratic primary is set to be held in April— only 15 months away. (That’s assuming that the feds aren’t going to bring charges against Mayor Vince Gray before then.)

Gray’s State of the District speech, speaking of the current mayor, is set for the day after Wells’ launch.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery