TRENTON - State Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden) will run for mayor of Camden and plans to kick off her campaign this Saturday, Feb. 7th, she told PolitickerNJ.com.

Now serving her first term as senator, Redd, 40, is concurrently serving as vice president of the Camden City Council. She said she hopes to be able to work out a deal with Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, 82, who has served as Camden's chief elected official since 2000.

"I've had discussions with Mayor Faison and we're trying to put together a unity slate," said Redd. "I'm hoping she endorses me."

Faison's office issued a statement this afternoon.

The mayor has not officially made a decision about whether she intends to run for re-election.

"It's time to stop fighting and serve the people," Faison said.

If Redd wins the race for mayor, that would free up her District 5 state Senate seat.

Redd said she intends to make her formal announcement at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the corner of 9th and Central in the City of Camden.