Polarizing City Council member Charles Barron confirmed to News 12 Brooklyn Wednesday that he is eyeing the position of Brooklyn borough president.

Barron was on familiar territory Wednesday on the steps of City Hall fighting for a street to be renamed in honor of a black activist. The councilman, who has represented East New York since 2001, rallied the crowd in his trademark style.Barron plans to run for borough president when Marty Markowitz vacates the position in 2009 due to term limits. Political analysts say the announcement is surprising, since many thought Barron would run for Congress next year to unseat U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns.

"If I go to Congress it would take me outta' New York ? I'll have no seniority ... The way I talk, they're gonna' put my office in the basement next to the toilet bowl," Barron said of his decision to pass on Towns' seat.

Insiders believe Barron is ultimately trying to position himself to run for mayor. The councilman, who also faces a term limit, has admitted he wants the city's top job. While critics say Barron is too radical to run all of New York City, his supporters believe he's the best man for the job.

"He doesn't let anything get in the way of being honest and doing what's right," voter Lloyd Nelson said.

The borough president election is two years away.