Aurora Alderman Irvin running again for mayor

Aurora Alderman at Large Richard Irvin is ready to let his constituents decide whether he should run for the city's highest post.

Irvin announced Tuesday that he will begin circulating nominating petitions to determine if there is support for an "Irvin administration" in 2009. Filing petitions for the April 7, 2009 consolidated election are to be submitted to local election officials between Jan 19 and Jan. 26, 2009.

"Over the next month I will speak to thousands of people directly and get the peoples' perspective on where we are, where we should be and where we should go in our future," Irvin said. "I will talk about new ideas, a renewed vision and the prospect of new blood in the mayor's office to take Aurora to the future with a focus on job creation, crime suppression, education and low taxes.

"If the people are interested in any of that or in having a third option for mayor, they'll make the decision for me whether I'll file or not."

If Irvin does join the race, at least one of his two opponents will be a familiar adversary.

Irvin was unsuccessful in his 2005 campaign against Mayor Tom Weisner to fill an open seat. Weisner has already launched his campaign for re-election. Irvin said this campaign against Weisner and Third Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit will be different.

"I've been involved in two citywide campaigns in Aurora in the past and I've matured a great deal since those campaigns and I think that will show," Irvin said. "I can run an effective campaign now and I'm going to involve as many citizens as possible to determine if I should."

Weisner has promised to run a "spirited campaign" despite recently battling the return of his liver cancer. He's not concerned about the possibility of another opponent.

"If Richard wants to run that race, that's his prerogative but when our records over the last four years are put out to the public, I'm confident I will win again," Weisner said Tuesday night. "There's something to be said about knowing the opposition and having run against him before."

Irvin, who was elected to his aldermanic seat in 2007, said he respects Weisner's accomplishments during his first term.

"We've definitely had some improvement over last few years but we can do better. I know we can do better," Irvin said. "Whether that holds true with the citizens and translates into change and a new direction remains to be seen."

Kifowit, the first candidate to announce her intentions earlier this year, predicted Irvin's entry to the race several weeks ago.

"I always said there would be more people in this race so this doesn't surprise me at all," she said Tuesday night. "If Richard jumps in, it just adds more choice to the mayor's race and that can only be better for the voters."

Irvin said he expects to make his decision, based on citizens' feedback, soon before the filing deadline.