With a gong-clanging lion dance and scores of supporters in blue T-shirts chanting "Who can? Tam can!" City Council Member Rod Tam announced this afternoon that he will run for mayor if Mayor Mufi Hannemann resigns his office to run for governor in 2010.

Tam, citing his more than 25 years of public service as a state legislator and City Council member, pledged a "positive, innovative, grassroots campaign" that would address the everyday concerns of everyday people.

He made his announcement at the Sun Yat-sen statue on the mall by River Street in Chinatown.

Tam said he will formally file in July.

Hannemann, whose term expires in 2012, must resign as mayor by the July 2010 filing deadline if he runs for governor as expected.

That would mean a special election would be held to fill the mayoral vacancy.

City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell and City Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz are also expected to seek the mayor's office.