Theresa Smith of Westwood announced her candidacy for Pittsburgh City Council yesterday, seeking the seat vacated Monday by Dan Deasy, who won election to the state House.

Ms. Smith, 49, is president of the Crafton Heights, Westwood, Ridgemont Community Council and vice president of the Westwood/Oakwood Athletic Association, among other volunteer roles. She is also secretary for the 28th Ward Democratic Committee.

Party committee members from the district will choose nominees for a special election that could occur in February. The winner of that race will serve throughout next year. The seat will be subject to party primaries May 19 and a general election in November, for a full four-year term beginning in January 2010.

The other announced candidate is city Zoning Code Administrator Brendan Schubert.

Mr. Deasy, a Democrat, resigned Monday from the council seat he won in a special election in 2005, and counts the reopening of the West End police station, the establishment of a Weed and Seed program in western neighborhoods, and sponsorship of rental registration legislation as key accomplishments.

Last month he won an election to replace retiring Democrat Tom Petrone in Harrisburg.