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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Richard Skorman, a former Colorado Springs councilman and former Vice Mayor, has joined the race for Strong Mayor.

He joins five other candidates: Brian Bahr, Buddy Gilmore, Phil McDonald, Ken Duncan and Dave Munger. 

Skorman had waited to join the Colorado Springs mayoral race because he wasn't sure if he could gain enough support. Tuesday night in front of a packed room at the Penrose Library, he made his official announcement to run.

"There's an opportunity in this community to really make a difference, be the first strong mayor, and I think my experience is going to be an important part of that," Skorman said.

Some big name supporters are throwing their weight behind Skorman, like hometown hero and hall of famer Richard "Goose" Gossage and current Vice Mayor Larry Small.

Skorman owns several small businesses in town including Poor Richard's, and he said his background makes him the best choice.

"I'm the only one with experience for one thing, but also I have a fresh pair of eyes," Skorman said. "I haven't been there for four years. I know the community inside and out, but also I can go in as a small business man and really think about things in a way outside the box."

Compared to the other candidates, some said Skorman appears liberal, but he said he considers himself conservative.

"I'm not sure why people call me liberal, but I do welcome everybody in the community, no matter who they happen to be or what their sexual orientation is," Skorman said. "But to me that's good for business, that's conservative. I've also been a big advocate for protecting land, but fiscally I'm very conservative, always have been, and I voted most of the time with my conservative colleagues on council."

Skorman said his number one priority as a strong mayor would be to bring more jobs to the area.

"I have a lot of ideas, and I think we can work together, but I'm gonna get up every day and figure out a way to make this community the place that it really should be: strong, thriving, economy and a great place for people to work," Skorman said.

With only a few months to go before the election, Skorman said he wants voters to know he is the best choice for strong mayor.

"I'm looking at this as an opportunity to really get us moving in the right direction, to make us an open city in all kinds of ways and to let people know that I'm just doing it because I care about the city," Skorman said. "I'm not looking for a long-time political career, I think I'm right the person for the job at this time."

The mayoral election is mail-in ballots only. Officials said those ballots will go out March 16.