State Rep. George Flaggs Jr. has delayed publicly announcing his candidacy for Vicksburg mayor, but he has sent letters to the five others who say they are in the race or considering a run.

In letters on Flaggs campaign stationery to confirmed candidate Linda Fondren, incumbent Paul Winfield, 39 and former North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young, 57, and two who have said they might be running — David Day, 53, and John Shorter, 46 — Flaggs confirms reports that he might be a candidate.

“I did that as a courtesy to them and to let them know my intentions,” said Flaggs, who has been in the House of Representatives since 1988. “I don’t run against people. I run on platforms.”

He said in the letter that he officially will announce his decision on Jan. 12.

Four of the candidates said Friday they received the letter. Fondren said she had been out of town and had not seen it.

In addition to the letters, about 20 bumper stickers saying “George Flaggs for Mayor” have been printed and seen on cars in town, including Flaggs’.

Flaggs, 59, announced in September that he is retiring from the Legislature effective July 1.

The qualifying period at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall to be a candidate for mayor or either of the city’s two aldermanic seats opens Jan. 2 and ends March 8.

The primary election will be May 7, and the general election will be June 4. Elected officials will be sworn in on July 1.