BURLINGTON — Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss is not seeking re-election.

The Progressive mayor made the announcement Wednesday morning on WVMT radio. He said the decision was a personal one.

Kiss has been criticized for the financial problems facing the municipally owned telecom provider, Burlington Telecom.

He told WVMT that his years in office have been a success story, citing the national praise Burlington receives for its quality of life.

The mayoral race is already heating up.

Democrats will meet a second time Dec. 11 to pick a nominee after the first caucus ended with a tie vote between state Sen. Tim Ashe and developer Miro Weinberger. Republican city councilor and state Rep. Kurt Wright is also in the race.