Michael Sepe, a former City Council president and current chairman of the Cranston Democratic City Committee, plans to run for mayor in 2016.

As controversy surrounding the Rhode Island State Police assessment report of the Cranston Police Department swirled on Monday, Sepe told Rhode Island Public Radio that he has put $25,000 into his campaign account and intends to officially announce his bid on Oct. 4.

“Right now, I think the city needs new leadership and we have to go in a new direction,” Sepe told public radio. “I don’t think the mayor’s been truthful with the taxpayers of the city of Cranston.”

Sepe on Monday evening confirmed he had spoken with public radio and is planning a mayoral campaign, but declined to speak further.
Sepe, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Michael Traficante in 1994, told public radio he is confident in his ability to win the Democratic nomination.

Fung, who has served as mayor since 2009, lost to Gina Raimondo in the race for governor last year. He has not publicly announced whether he plans to seek a new term. Sepe told public radio he expects the mayor to run for re-election.