18 months before the primary

Daily News:

"Mitch Englander, chief of staff to City Councilman Greig Smith, took out papers Tuesday to succeed his boss, becoming the first candidate to declare for the 2011 municipal election.  Smith, who could run for another term, has said he will not seek re-election.  Englander, 39, who is a reserve police officer, long has voiced interest in running for the seat."

Reporter Rick Orlov wrote that story in September, 2009.