Councilman prepares to enter Naperville mayor race

Doug Krause, Naperville's longest-serving city councilman, has dusted off the “Krause for Mayor” button he wore during his first mayoral run in 1991.

The nearly 22-year veteran of the city council pulled a nominating packet Monday afternoon and announced plans to enter his fourth mayoral race. Krause was defeated in 1991, and lost to current Mayor George Pradel in 1995 and 2007.

“I'm planning a very frugal race since I still have all my old signs and buttons,” Krause said shortly after picking up his packet. “That's why my supporters want me. I spend their money like I spend my own.”

Krause points to several votes he has taken against what he calls wasteful spending. In recent weeks, Krause voted against hiring an outside PR firm for the city's Smart Grid initiative and, last week, a new snowplow.

Krause said he was reluctant to enter the race, but was “overwhelmed” by encouragement from supporters.

“There is a stronger voice in our community to stop needless spending, listen to the people, create smaller government and govern with humility,” Krause said. “I am looking forward to a campaign that speaks to how the office of mayor is extremely important in key votes, and how I have demonstrated my proven sensitivity to listening to the people and focused on creating a smaller, less intrusive government.”

During his tenure, Krause said, the city has grown from a population of 80,000 to 145,000.

“Orderly growth doesn't just materialize. There have been many key decisions and issues that I have been a part of,” he said. “As we face continued economic uncertainty, my supporters strongly urged me to give them a smaller government, an economically conservative mayoral candidate.”

Pradel welcomed Krause to the race Monday, saying it would be a shame to go through an election season without Krause getting to use his old signs.

“I think it's wonderful. He has all the signs in his basement, so he's halfway in the race already,” Pradel said. “I'm really looking forward to it because he's such a great guy. He's dedicated to our city and he's a first-class person.”

Miller said the addition of Krause to the race didn't surprise him.

“I don't think there's a different strategy I would employ, regardless of who is running,” Miller said. “I'm going to run my race independent of my competitors.”

Potential candidates can file their petitions Nov. 15-22.