Political observers have been talking about state Rep. Rick Kriseman's recent outspokenness.

First, there was the time he ripped into Samm Simpson for campaigning at Raytheon events.

Then, he chastised Mayor Rick Baker for not taking a more active role in the Raytheon debate.

So by the time he got around to posting a YouTube video questioning the new Rays baseball committee Thursday, the rumor mill was in overdrive.

"He is certainly acting like someone who is running for mayor," said St. Petersburg City Council Chairman Jamie Bennett Friday. Bennett, of course, is running for mayor.

But in an interview Friday, Kriseman said he is not kicking off a mayoral campaign.

"I have never told anyone that I am running for mayor," he said.

But is he considering it?

"In this business," he said, "you never say never."

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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