UPDATE, Aug. 5, 2017: Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett formally announced his run for U.S. Congress Saturday afternoon at the Vol. Market #3.
This is a look at the crowd who came out for Burchett's announcement on Saturday.
Burchett made his official statement today. He's already filed the appropriate paperwork a few days prior.
UPDATE, Aug. 2, 2017: Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is running for Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District seat in the 2018 election, according to paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, a Republican, who has announced he is not seeking re-election, and will retire after his current term.
Burchett, also a Republican, filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on July 31.
Duncan did file a statement of candidacy with the FEC on June 13, but he told 10News that document is required for him to continue collecting campaign contributions for future political activity, and did not signify he intended to run for his seat again.
Democrat Joshua Williams is also running for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
PREVIOUS STORY: After months of speculation about his future, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will officially announce Saturday, Aug. 5, what federal office he plans to seek next year.
The 52-year-old Republican mayor sent an announcement Monday about the Saturday event.
He told 10News earlier this summer he planned to run either for Sen. Bob Corker's seat or Congressman Jimmy Duncan's East Tennessee seat.
It's widely expected he'll say he's going to run for Congress. The announcement will take place 10 a.m. at Vol Market #3 on 3400 Western Ave.
"From my family's military service, to my parents' careers as public educators, I was raised around public service, and it's something I enjoy," Mayor Burchett said. "I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work in the state legislature and as Knox County mayor, and I am excited about what lies ahead for me and my family as we launch this campaign."
In June, Burchett told 10News: "I think that I need to run for one of those seats (Senate or House)," he said. "We'll be making a decision shortly."
Corker has said he's weighing his political options next year. A Duncan representative couldn't be reached Tuesday. Duncan, who turned 70 this month, first was elected in 1988 to represent the 2nd District, which includes Knoxville.
Burchett, a Republican, earlier this year told WBIR's "Inside Tennessee" he hadn't ruled out a possible run for governor next year. The field includes Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd, a Republican, and Democrat and former Nashville mayor Karl Dean.
On Tuesday, Burchett said he'd decided against running for governor.
He said he'd "never been real interested" in the governor's job. He first was elected in the early 1990s to the state House and then moved on to the state Senate, spending a total of 16 years in the General Assembly.
He was first elected Knox County mayor in 2010. Term limits bar him from running next year when his second term expires.
The primary for mayor isn't until next May, and the general is in August.
Several candidates for mayor have emerged already, however, and more may be coming.
Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas has made it plain he's running as a Republican in next year's primary.
In April, businessman and pro wrestler Glenn Jacobs, aka "Kane," formally announced his intent to run as a Republican.
Knox County Commissioner Brad Anders said Tuesday he expects to announce "soon" if he'll seek the seat.
On Monday, state Rep. Jason Zachary told 10News he'd been approached about running for mayor but was happy right now to continue in the Legislature. Zachary, a Republican from Knoxville, called the idea "intriguing."
Democrat Tracy Clough formally named a treasurer a year ago for a run as mayor.
Last week, Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones announced he was halting his bid to become county mayor to care for an ailing family member.