Despite speculation that he would seek to become governor of Rhode Island in 2010, David Cicilline announced last week that he would seek a third term as mayor of Providence.

In an interview with EDGE Boston, Cicilline discussed his decision to seek re-election, stating that he loved the job and wanted to build off the solid foundation he created in his first two terms.

The paper reports:

He is perhaps most proud of the city’s reduced crime rate, the restoration of integrity in city government after the scandal-plagued years of his predecessor, Vincent “Buddy” Cianci, increased investment in Providence and improved the city’s public schools.

“With all that progress, I also know there’s a lot more work to do,” Cicilline noted. “I just didn’t believe it was the right time to change jobs and seek another position. Instead I wanted to finish the work we started.”

A recent poll indicated Cicilline was third among potential candidates in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary, but he asserted its results did not factor into his decision.

“That poll was taken about two years before the election, which is a lifetime in politics,” Cicilline said. “You make decisions based on what you think is right for you and what is right for the work that you are doing and hopefully for the city that I serve.”

Cicilline added he feels Rhode Island voters would be willing to elect an openly gay man or woman to the State House.

“Rhode Island has always demonstrated that it is a state of incredibly fair-minded independent thinkers who are prepared to elect people based on the quality of their work,” he said.