Gaugel to replace Martin on St. Charles city council, Bancroft gets full term

St. Charles residents knew the complexion of the city council would change Tuesday night with the election signaling the end of longtime Ward 4 Alderman Jim Martin's tenure on the board.

But with a second competitive race, there was a chance for two new faces on the city council. Unofficial results showed voters weren't ready for a full face-lift.

Vote totals showed Steve Gaugel taking over Martin's Ward 4 seat. With all 11 precincts reporting, Gaugel had 449 votes compared to 391 votes for fellow challenger Matt Dowling.

The close race was a reversal of fortune for Gaugel. He lost to Martin by a mere 11 votes in the 2011 campaign. Afterward, Gaugel received an appointment to the city's plan commission following his previous, unsuccessful, run for city council against Martin four years ago. That name recognition and involvement in city issues might have given Gaugel the edge in a race that saw him and Dowling take similar stances on the major issues facing Ward 4 and the downtown.

In the neighboring Ward 3, incumbent Todd Bancroft fended off a challenge from Naomi Bosko. Bancroft had a head start on the seat, having been appointed to Ray Rogina's seat following Rogina's victorious mayoral campaign.

Unofficial results showed Bancroft receiving 430 votes compared to 201 votes for Bosko.

Aldermen Dan Stellato, Rita Payleitner and Ed Bessner all ran unopposed and secured fresh four-year terms Tuesday night.