Scalzo, Suess capture top spots on Wheaton council ballot

Wheaton City Councilman Todd Scalzo says he doesn’t really believe getting the top spot on the ballot will give him an advantage in his April re-election bid.

Still, it’s better to be a little superstitious than on the losing end of a close race.

The 34-year-old attorney officially launched his campaign for a second term on Monday morning when he was the first candidate to file his nominating petitions for the Wheaton council.

By the end of the day, fellow incumbent Phil Suess joined Scalzo by also clinching a top spot on the April 9 ballot.

The weeklong filing period continues through the end of the day Nov. 26.

“I feel the city has done a great job over the past four years of weathering this economic storm that the country has been going through,” said Scalzo, who has represented Wheaton’s West District since 2009. “I’d like to continue moving in that direction for a second term.”

Suess, who filed his paperwork about 4:45 p.m. Monday, is seeking a third term representing the North District.

In addition to Scalzo’s and Suess’ seats on the council, the south and east districts are up for election.

Officials say that John Rutledge is expected to seek re-election to his position serving the South District. He was appointed to that seat in March 2011.

Councilman Tom Mouhelis, who has represented the East District since 2001, announced last month he won’t seek re-election. Instead, he will step down when his term expires in May.

Candidates who are the first to submit paperwork secure top spots on the April ballot. They also would get first ballot position if a Feb. 26 primary is needed for any of the districts. A primary would be triggered only if five or more candidates emerge in any of the districts.

In addition to the four district seats, the six-member Wheaton City Council has two at-large representatives — Jeanne Ives and Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti. Both of their terms don’t expire until May 2015.

Ives is expected to resign from the council now that she has been elected to the state legislature. Ives, who earlier this month defeated Democrat William Adams in the 42nd state House District race, has said she plans to step down from her municipal seat by Nov. 30, which would allow the position to be up for election in April.