Rick Sharp, who had previous run unsuccessful campaigns for city council and state senate, announced on November 21, 1988, that he would seek the Democratic nomination for mayor. Bill Aswad, a member of the city council from the 4th district, announced on November 25, that he would seek the Democratic nomination. Nancy Chioffi, president of the city council, announced on December 1, that she would run for the Democratic nomination. Chioffi defeated Aswad and Sharp for the Democratic nomination by five votes at the caucus on January 11, 1989.
