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On the same day first-term Mayor Susan R. Hoffmann announced she will seek another term in November's election, Councilwoman Phyllis Marcuccio announced she will challenge Hoffmann for her seat.

"My group met over the weekend and yes, I have decided to run," Marcuccio said.

Hoffmann on Monday remained neutral about the challenge.

"I welcome her to the race and look forward to a spirited debate," she said.

Hoffmann kicked off her re-election campaign in front of Giuseppi's restaurant in downtown Rockville and surrounded by state delegates Kumar P. Barve (D-Dist. 17) of Gaithersburg, James W. Gilchrist (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville and Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville.

Kensington Mayor Peter Fosselman and Rockville Councilman John Britton also made appearances.

Marcuccio, who is in her second term as a councilwoman, said she has considered a run for mayor in the past. But a final conference with her supporters over the weekend helped her make the decision.

She said her platform will consist of roughly five tenets, including transparency in the budget process, communication within the council and the community, responsiveness to the community's needs, the creation of a science center and attention to what Marcuccio called a "trend toward criminal activity in the city."

Hoffmann, meanwhile, outlined a platform that focused on green initiatives and two local economic initiatives.

Hire Rockville, which is supported by the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, will be an electronic bulletin board where Rockville job-seekers could post what kind of work they're looking for.

The Rockville Business Roundtable is Hoffmann's second initiative.

"The Rockville Business Roundtable will bring together some of the best and brightest from the Rockville business community to engage in the dialogue on how we can help turn the economy around right here in our city," she said.

Rockville political history watcher Roald Schrack, who has crunched election numbers for years, said Marcuccio is a long-shot for the mayoral seat.

"She doesn't have a high chance of success," he said. "Hoffmann has broad support, and I would be surprised if Phyllis could get elected in the face of what is largely seen as a successful term in office."

He added that he doesn't sense a very broad opposition to Hoffmann in the community.

"Phyllis is a very intelligent and capable person," Schrack said. "I'm not saying she would make a bad mayor. I think she would make a good mayor."

The last time a sitting mayor was challenged and beaten by a sitting council person was in 1987 when then-Councilman Douglas M. Duncan defeated then-Mayor Steven Van Grack.

Van Grack said of the current race that it is important for the candidates to avoid mud-slinging as much as possible.

"In our case we kept everything pretty much above board and didn't really get down into the gutter," he said, adding that while the city likes a good race, it tends to be intolerant of negative campaigns.