The least believable acting job in D.C. politics comes to an end today.

Ex-Tommy Wells chief of staff Charles Allen, who insisted previously that he wasn’t thinking about running for his old boss’ seat, announced this afternoon that he’s going to do exactly that.

Allen has looked like someone thinking about a campaign for a long time. Hints included his Facebook ads and suspiciously active blog about Ward 6. Most tellingly, he bristled whenever LL asked if he was running. (The Hatch Act prevented Allen from discussing a run before he quit Wells’ office last week).

“It’s nice to be able to make it official,” he says.

Since Wells is running for mayor, he can’t hold on to the Ward 6 seat. Allen declined LL’s suggestion that he’s Wells’ heir apparent, but echoed his old boss’ opinions on issues like moving the attorney general election to 2018 (against) and the Large Retailer Accountability Act (also against). Allen says he wants to focus on education and the need for more affordable housing in the ward.

Allen’s entry brings the number of candidates in the Ward 6 Democratic primary to two. He’s joining former Harry Reid staffer Darrel Thompson, who launched his own campaign Sunday with a not-so-subtle emphasis on the importance of electing a councilmember who comes from outside of the Wilson Building.

Allen plans to start his campaign officially next week with a series of events in Ward 6 homes, which he’s calling his “Living Room Launch.”

Photo courtesy Charles Allen