Primaries take shape in Aurora’s 4th and 9th wards
Ÿ Editor’s note: This story has been updated from its original version to correct the omission of a candidate who filed to run for the Ward 10 seat.
Primary elections are taking shape for city council seats in Aurora’s 4th and 9th wards.
The top four vote-getters in the February primaries for each of the two wards will advance to the April 9 general election.
Small business owner Duanne Kleckner filed a nominating petition for Ward 4 before the 5 p.m. Monday deadline, bringing the total to seven candidates for one available seat.
Ward 4 Alderman Rick Lawrence is not seeking re-election and instead filed to run for alderman-at-large against incumbent Bob O’Connor, who also filed.
In addition to Kleckner, other 4th Ward candidates are:
Ÿ Jay Leonardi, a 19-year-old Waubonsee Community College student and his older cousin, Mike Leonardi, an actor and former teacher. Both are members of the family that runs Leonardi Appliance in Aurora.
Ÿ Mavis Bates, who ran for Kane County Clerk in 2010. She is an Aurora acupuncturist and founder of the Aurora Green Fest.
Ÿ Bill Donnell, a landscape architect who retired from the Fox Valley Park District after 27 years and who serves as chairman of the Aurora planning commission.
Ÿ Chuck Norris, a mail carrier and part-time police officer, who ran against Lawrence in 2008.
Ÿ Kevin Matthews, who also previously ran for the council.
Five candidates will vie in the primary for the 9th Ward seat held by Alderman Allan Lewandowski, who was appointed to the post last year and did not file to defend his seat. Ward 9 is on the city’s far southeast side and spans parts of DuPage, Kendall and Will counties
The five candidates who will vie to eliminate one person in February are:
Ÿ Bob Shelton, who previously served as alderman-at-large from 2003-07.
Ÿ Marge Linnane, who has served on the 9th Ward committee since 2003 and was appointed to Aurora’s Block Grant Working Committee in 2010.
Ÿ Matt Harrington, a political consultant who was removed from the ballot during a bid for Aurora alderman-at-large in 2011.
Ÿ Mike Ochs and Edward Bugg who, along with Harrington, applied for the post when it was vacated last year by former Alderman Leroy Keith.
Aurora voters in April will elect aldermen in the city’s 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th and 10th wards as well as one at-large alderman and the mayor.
No more than four candidates can appear on the April ballot for any of the posts. If five or more people file, as they have in the 9th and 4th wards, it triggers the February primary to narrow the field to four.
Mayor Tom Weisner filed to defend his seat but was not met with any challengers. He is seeking a third 4-year term after first being elected in 2005.
In the 10th Ward, incumbent Lynda Elmore is not seeking re-election. Lynne Johnson and Judd Lofchie, an attorney, developer and co-founder of Aurora Business United, have filed to pursue her seat.
In Ward 7, longtime incumbent Scheketa Hart-Burns was the lone candidate to file.
Incumbent Juany Garza filed to defend her seat in Ward 2 from challenger Irlanda Gardiakos.
In addition, Ward 3 Alderman Stephanie Kifowit resigned last week after winning election to the 84th state House District earlier this month. Theodore “Ted” Mesiacos, Chad Feldotto and Reece Boyd have filed to run for the post.
The winner will serve a 2-year term between May 2013 and May 2015.
Although primaries are likely in Ward 4 and Ward 9, it’s possible they could be made moot if some candidates choose to drop out or some are knocked off the ballot as a result of petition challenges.
Aurora Election Commission officials said no challenges have yet been filed. The last day to file challenges is Dec. 3.