Matthew Dubiel drops out of Naperville mayor race
One of Naperville's five mayoral candidates, Matthew Dubiel, announced late Friday that he is dropping out of the race.
The city's Municipal Officers Electoral Board had been scheduled to meet Monday to consider three objections to Dubiel's candidacy for the post to be vacated by longtime Mayor George Pradel. At least two of the objections challenged Dubiel's eligibility based on his residency.
In a statement sent by email, Dubiel said he was advised by his attorney "that a legal loophole prevents me from ultimately remaining on the ballot."
Objectors to Dubiel's candidacy said the address he listed on his nominating forms on the 23000 block of Joyce Lane is in unincorporated Will County and not the city of Naperville. As someone who doesn't live or pay taxes in Naperville, they said, he is not eligible to run for mayor.
"It was with the best intentions that I entered into the race for mayor of Naperville: to seek to better the lives of all residents of our community," the 38-year-old radio station owner said in his statement. "I am truly humbled by the support of my family, friends and the community at large."
"While my family's connection to the city of Naperville and its surrounding environs is real and genuine," he wrote, he now realizes he has no chance of remaining on the ballot.
"Therefore," he wrote, "I intend to formally withdraw my candidacy for mayor of Naperville."
His departure eliminates the need for the city to hold a primary election in February to reduce the mayoral field from five to four. The four remaining candidates - city council members Steve Chirico and Doug Krause, dental office manager James Haselhorst and retired firefighter and Exchange Club official Marty Walker - now will face off in the April general election.
City council member Robert Fieseler, who filed one of the objections, said documents from the Will County supervisor of assessments, the Will County tax collector and the city of Naperville's planning and zoning department prove Dubiel is not qualified to run because he does not live in the city.