Fresh off a fourth-place finish for a City Council seat, former Councilman Steve Eugster said he will run in 2011 for City Council president.

Eugster said he was encouraged by his finish: "I got 1,800 votes, and I didn't even spend a nickel," he said in an interview.

His announcement means he will have file his candidacy with the state Public Disclosure Commission more than two years before the 2011 general election. Filing early, he said, will help promote his message of fiscal restraint.

As for the 2009 council race in November, Eugster said he will endorse "Out There Monthly" publisher Jon Snyder, who came in first in the primary for the council seat representing south Spokane. Snyder will face incumbent Mike Allen, who finished second.

Kristina Sabestinas, who finished third in the six-way race, said Monday that she hasn't decided if she will endorse a candidate for the seat.