Aurora's Fourth Ward race heating up
Aurora's Fourth Ward is shaping up to be a battleground for one of the city's hottest election races this spring with two challengers already filing to unseat incumbent Alderman Rick Lawrence.
Chuck Norris, a 32-year-old letter carrier and Marine veteran, was the latest to file for the seat Friday afternoon.
"Walking my mail route I get to talk to people and learn their concerns and hear about their problems," Norris said. "I'm a real good listener and I've got some problem-solving skills, so I think I would be a good fit working to satisfy both the city and my constituents."
Hal Beebee II and Lawrence both filed their petitions with the Aurora Election Committee on Monday.
In the past, three candidates for any Aurora city hall race would have forced a primary, but changes to the election law now require more than four candidates to trigger a primary. Without a primary - which would be held Feb. 24 - all the candidates will be on the April 7 general election ballot.
In the city's Ninth Ward, challenger Michael Ochs has filed to unseat Alderman Leroy Keith. Ochs said he decided to run after experiencing differences of opinion with Keith.
"I promise I will work tirelessly for all the neighbors in my ward, just as I have always done for years, within the city government and beyond," Ochs said.
The six incumbent aldermanic candidates and the three previously declared mayoral candidates, including incumbent Tom Weisner, all showed up before the doors of the Aurora Election Commission opened on Monday.
Candidates have until 5 p.m. Monday to file their nominating petitions, but the incumbent aldermen have secured their positions atop the ballot by being the first to register.
A lottery will be held within nine days of the last day of filing to determine if Weisner or his mayoral challengers, Ward 3 Alderman Stephanie Kifowit or Alderman at Large Richard Irvin, will have the top ballot spot.
Alderman at Large Robert O'Connor, Ward 2 Alderman Juany Garza, Ward 7 Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, and Ward 10 Alderman Lynda Elmore also filed Monday.