98 Degrees singer loves Cincinnati, will run for mayor

CINCINNATI -- Justin Jeffre, a former member of the boy band 98Degrees, wants to be Cincinnati's next mayor, saying his love for hishometown and desire to make it better motivated his decision to run.

"I am serious about this, and I intend to win," Jeffre, 32, saidlast week.

Jeffre said he wants to bring people from all over the citytogether through Cincinnati's arts and entertainment venues and builda strong downtown.

"We need to sell this city back to the people of this city," hesaid. "We've forgotten how great this city can be."

He also wants VH1 to follow his campaign for a reality series. VH1officials said no decision has been made on his proposal.

Jeffre doesn't have a political affiliation and plans to run as anindependent, his spokeswoman, Andrea Leslie, said.

Mayor Charlie Luken, the incumbent Democrat, has said he won'tseek re-election.

Mayoral candidates officially run as nonpartisans. They face offin a primary on Sept. 13, with the top two vote-getters competing inthe Nov. 8 election.

The filing deadline for the primary is June 30.

AP