He confirmed yesterday he will stand against Wakatipu ward councillor Vanessa van Uden at the local body elections in October.
The pair are the only confirmed starters in a mayoralty contest which will feature a Queenstown-versus-Wanaka electorate showdown, after incumbent Clive Geddes announced on Monday he would not seek re-election.
While Mr Wilson becomes only the second Wanaka-based candidate to stand for the district mayoralty, he could be joined by his Wanaka Community Board and council colleague Lyal Cocks.
Mr Cocks yesterday said he remained undecided about standing.
The pair acknowledged they faced the possibility of splitting the Wanaka electorate vote.
Mr Wilson said he faced a tough struggle, given about two-thirds of district voters were in the Wakatipu electorate.
A surprise choice as deputy mayor when he was elected as a first-time councillor in 2007, Mr Wilson is the chairman of the council's finance and accountability committee and is a member of the strategy and community services committees.
He will not seek re-election as a Wanaka councillor, pinning all his hopes on the mayoralty. Mr Cocks says his main focus remains being re-elected as a Wanaka ward councillor.
Ms van Uden said her decision to stand had been made "irrespective of anyone else" and competition for the mayoralty would be good for voters.
