Josh Zakim, a Northeastern University School of Law graduate, announced today that he is running for the District 8 City Council seat, which covers part of Hyde Square. Mike Ross, who currently holds the seat, entered the mayor’s race yesterday.

“I love the city of Boston, our neighborhoods, our people and our great achievements,” Zakim said in a statement posted on Facebook. “Most of all I love Boston’s potential.”

He is the son of Leonard Zakim, a civil right activist who died in 1999 from cancer and has the Zakim Bridge downtown named after him.

“As a city councilor, I will work tirelessly to increase our children’s access to a quality education, support our innovators and job creators and make sure that Boston remains livable for all of our residents,” said Zakim.

Corrected version: This version corrects the name of Leonard Zakim.