Evan Thies has officially thrown his hat into the ring for David Yassky’s City Council seat in 2009 (Yassky is running for Brooklyn Borough President, as he is prevented by term limits from running for Council again). Evan, who served as Yassky’s chief of staff for five years, officially announced his candidacy today, although it was no secret that he would be running. He is the first North Brooklynite to formally announce for the 33rd, but he is not expected to be the last.

The following is an excerpt from Evan’s announcement (as more follow, we will put them up here as well):

As a believer in the power of government, I have worked to improve it from both the inside and the outside. As senior advisor to current Council Member David Yassky for nearly five years, I worked on a wide range of local issues in the 33rd District, as well as many citywide initiatives at City Hall — guiding winning coalitions on affordable housing, education, environment and government reform policy. Today I serve as the Environment Chair of Community Board 1, and as a consultant to some of New York City’s largest non-profit advocacy groups—fighting for better working conditions for blue-collar workers, clean up of the country’s largest terrestrial oil spill in Brooklyn, and against irresponsible development throughout the City.

Now I am ready to serve as a member of the New York City Council. With so many offices up for grabs in 2009, it is important we elect leaders who are going to aggressively represent the better interests of their constituents, and who have the experience and ideas to make government work for the people. I know what it takes to get the job done, and I am not afraid to fight for what I believe in.