Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel says he will not seek re-election. The Democrat is leaving the door open for a political office in the future saying he's seeking new challenges. During a news conference to announce his decision, Weinzapfel did not mention the 2012 governor's race.

He was first elected Evansville mayor in 2003 and re-elected in 2007.

Weinzapfel has also served as a state representative.

He has highlighted some accomplishments in the mayor's office including the downtown arena project, a regional approach to economic development and the attraction of "tens of millions of dollars in investment" creating hundreds of new jobs.

He points to Berry Plastics, American General, Mead Johnson and AT&T who have continued to expand in Evansville over the past seven years.

The city also lost a major employer in that period when Whirlpool stopped refrigerator production in Evansville and moved most of those operations to Mexico.

Source: Inside INdiana Business http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=45451