Mr Cocks, the Wanaka Community Board's chairman, told the Otago Daily Times from Rarotonga he was still undecided whether or not to stand for the mayoralty.
He was surprised when told of Mr Wilson's decision to step aside from a Queenstown Lakes mayoralty race which now consists of only one confirmed starter, Wakatipu ward councillor Vanessa van Uden.
"I'm reassessing. I did not know he was stepping back," Mr Cocks said in a text message.
The top-polling Wanaka ward councillor in the 2007 local body elections, Mr Cocks has been pressed by media about his mayoralty intentions since his daughter set up a social networking site two months ago calling for him to be elected to the top job.
Mr Wilson (66) said he changed his mind about running for mayor after discussions with his wife, Penny, and friends and family.
He has also decided against standing for re-election to the district council.
"My wife and I have recently been reviewing our priorities in life, which includes preserving our health and spending more time pursuing our mutual interests," he said in a statement released yesterday.
Mr Wilson told the ODT his announcement was "somewhat" influenced by the possibility Mr Cocks could run for mayor.
"If we were both running for mayor, we'd probably end up splitting the Wanaka vote."
Mr Wilson was appointed deputy mayor in his first term as a Queenstown Lakes councillor in 2007.
He was the second-highest polling candidate from the Wanaka ward and chaired the QLDC's finance and accountability committee, while also having roles on the strategy and community services committees.
Jim Nelson is a confirmed candidate as a Wanaka ward representative on Central Otago Health Inc.
David (Dick) Kane is standing again for the Wanaka Community Board, while Cr Lex Perkins is standing for the Arrowtown ward rather than the Wakatipu ward he represents at present. He lives in Arrowtown.
Joanne (Jo) Margaret Dippie is standing for councillor for the Wanaka ward.
In the Clutha district, Stewart Cowie is standing for the Clutha Valley ward, while stalwart Jeff McKenzie had again been nominated for West Otago.
Joy Lietze is the only nomination for the West Otago Community Board, while Julie Verheul had been nominated for the Clutha Licensing Trust.
Only four people have so far indicated their interest in local government and health authority seats in Central Otago, but 32 are needed.
The latest candidates to emerge are Cr Neil Gillespie, who has been nominated for the Central Otago District Council's Cromwell ward, and sitting Cromwell Community Board member Helen Hucklebridge, who has been nominated again.
In the Waitaki district, two more nominations have been received.
Long-serving councillor Struan Munro is seeking re-election to the council in the Ahuriri ward and Michael Blackstock is seeking re-election to the Ahuriri Community Board.
