John Kromko has led efforts to put measure on ballot repealing the city garbage- pickup fee.

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John Kromko, the author of a hotly-contested garbage and water initiative on November's ballot, will also run for mayor as a write-in candidate for the Green Party.

Kromko filed the paperwork to become a write-in candidate before Thursday's deadline. His initiative to repeal Tucson's garbage pickup fee, prohibit "toilet-to-tap" drinking water and limit water connections, was certified for November's ballot two weeks ago.

Kromko refused to talk in-depth about his candidacy because he said the Green Party asked him not to speak about the issue publicly before an 11 a.m. press conference Monday to announce it. The location has yet to be decided.

"I can't say anything," Kromko said.

He did say, however, that he won't be running against candidate Dave Croteau who had already qualified for the primary ballot as a member of the Green Party. Kromko said Croteau has already withdrawn or will soon.

If Croteau withdraws, Kromko will face Republican Mayor Bob Walkup in the November election. The only Democratic candidate is Michael Toney, a frequent speaker at public meetings throughout Tucson who lives at a homeless shelter.

Republican pollster Margaret Kenski said she didn't think Walkup had to worry about being challenged by Kromko, but said Kromko will get several months of free publicity for his initiative with his run for mayor.

"It's another vehicle for free media. That's to me all it says," Kenski said. "It does serve to highlight the initiative. It benefits Mr. Kromko."

She said there's also the possibility that it could backfire on Kromko by drawing him more into the public spotlight over the initiative. Most politicians, developers, business interests and home builders are lining up against the initiative because it limits water connections, and therefore eventually curbs new home building.

Kenski said Kromko's opponents could say his candidacy is a gimmick to get votes, call him a gadfly and say he was ineffective as a state lawmaker. They could also say he is so active that he can't keep his mind focused on one issue before moving onto others.

"Sure there's a comeback to it," Kenski said, adding that on balance she thought the publicity was beneficial to the initiative.

In addition to Kromko, Green Party candidate Beryl Baker also filed as a write-in candidate for the Ward 1 council office.