Dan Savage, a writer for The Stranger and a nationally syndicated sex columnist, may or may not be joking in his recent blog posts about running for mayor. But the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission wants to know his intentions.

City rules say candidates must file paperwork with the city clerk within two weeks of publicly announcing an intention to run.

Savage wrote on The Stranger's blog that he plans to run against two-term incumbent Mayor Greg Nickels, partly out of irritation that other potential candidates - like City councilmembers Nick Licata, Tim Burgess and Richard Conlin - have backed down, and that others - like former councilmember Peter Steinbrueck - are taking a long time to decide whether to challenge the mayor.

Savage wrote Monday that he isn't qualified to be mayor and would resign after being sworn in, allowing the City Council president to appoint someone, under the city's charter.

Savage didn't respond to my e-mails this afternoon, but he may be hearing from the city.

"We've got to figure out whether he's serious or not," said Ethics and Elections Commission Chairman Wayne Barnett.

It's free to file with the city to run. But by June, candidates have to either pay the county a $1,666.22 filing fee or gather 1,667 valid signatures from Seattle registered voters to appear on the ballot.