Four of eight Aurora council seats will be contested in April

Only four of eight city council seats will be contested April 7 when Aurora voters head to the polls.

The filing period for the council seats ended quietly Monday evening with no new candidates joining the fray.

Three candidates are vying for each the mayor's seat and the Ward 4 aldermanic post, while east-side wards 8 and 9 will have two-candidate races.

Alderman at large Robert O'Connor, Ward 2 Alderman Juany Garza, Ward 7 Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns and Ward 10 Alderman Lynda Elmore will run unopposed.

Mayor Tom Weisner will face challenges from two sitting aldermen, Stephanie Kifowit and Richard Irvin. Irvin ran against Weisner four years ago and lost. This is Kifowit's first run for the mayor's seat.

Incumbent Ward 4 Alderman Rick Lawrence had hinted he was going to challenge Weisner, but dropped his plans for a mayoral run several months ago. He now finds himself facing challenges from political newcomers Hal Beebee II and Chuck Norris.

Ward 8 incumbent Alderman Rick Mervine is seeking a two-year stint against lifelong resident and business developer Jason Minalga. In Ward 9, challenger Michael Ochs will take on incumbent Leroy Keith.