By David DeCamp
Times-Union staff writer

Mike Weinstein, the city's departing economic development chief, will also drop his leadership of the Jacksonville's Super Bowl Host Committee to run for mayor in 2003.

He will announce the decision this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Friendship Park.

Weinstein was weeks away before he was supposed to officially take the job of president and CEO of the host committee, and to leave as executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission -- avoiding potential conflicts of interest. However, he will remain as a member of the host committee.

"I think because of the nature of those two roles, he had to make a choice this early. He had to do justice to whichever job he chose," said Susie Wiles, who worked with Weinstein at City Hall and now is assisting his campaign startup.

Weinstein has been among the top brass at City Hall for a decade, beginning with former mayor Ed Austin's tenure. He's been chief of staff and finance director before becoming the boss of the potent economic development commission in 1996. Along the way, his use of incentives to lure businesses has often drawn flak.

The race for mayor has heightened almost two years before Mayor John Delaney leaves office.

City Councilwoman Alberta Hipps has begun her campaign committee last month, becoming the first major candidate in the race. Other Republicans planning a run include Gate executive John Peyton, Councilwoman Ginger Soud and Councilman Jim Overton. Democratic former mayor Tommy Hazouri is also in the hunt.

Strategists and fund-raisers have begun pairing up with campaigns, and even the mayor's allies are choosing sides already. Former Delaney advisors Michael Munz and Wiles are assisting Weinstein, as is former political consultant Bruce Barcelo, though he has said he's offered advice to others. Republican fund-raiser Mike Hightower, an insurance lobbyist who provided much of the fund-raising leadership for the Better Jacksonville Plan referendum, is supporting Peyton as he considers running.

Peyton, whose ties to the business community give him fund-raising strength, said he will not make a formal decision whether to run for several months. "What Mr. Weinstein does doesn't factor into my decision," Peyton said.

By leaving the commission and the host committee, Weinstein can minimize two potential political conflicts. He avoids the perception he is working out incentive deals for businesses -- and potential campaign donors -- while working for taxpayers, and he avoids the perception of working on the Super Bowl committee's interests while seeking the city's highest office.

Mayor John Delaney has drawn the line on city taxpayers' contributions to Alltel Stadium's changes for the Super Bowl, forcing organizers to look to the National Football League and private sources for much of the $40 million funding.

Beyond that, Weinstein also avoids leaving the committee during the heart of Super Bowl planning.

The committee will begin a search for a new chief outside of Jacksonville instead of promoting from within, according to a source familiar with the planning.