Three aldermanic races take shape in Aurora

Eleven candidates have filed nominating petitions to run for six open seats on the Aurora City Council in the April election.

Matt Harrington was the final person to submit his petitions Monday, which was the last day of the filing period that began Nov. 15 at the Aurora Election Commission.

Residents will vote April 5 for candidates in five wards and for one at-large seat. Only three of those races will be contested.

Harrington, who runs a consulting company, joins three other candidates running for alderman-at-large.

There is no mayoral race in Aurora, but council positions also are open in the first, third, fifth, sixth and eighth wards.

Harrington will face incumbent at-large Alderman Richard Irvin, who said he filed on the first day petitions were accepted to show residents he is serious about his re-election.

The race for the at-large seat also will include Judd Lofschie, a real estate lawyer, and Kevin Mathews.

Ward 1 incumbent Abby Schuler, Ward 3 incumbent Stephanie Kifowit and Ward 8 Alderman Rick Mervine all will run unopposed.

In Ward 5, incumbent John S. “Whitey” Peters faces a challenge from Dean Myles.

And in Ward 6, Isaac “Count De Money” Wilson poses a challenge to current Alderman Michael Saville. Wilson, a thrift store owner who graduated from Aurora High School in 2000, has been registered to vote under his unusual full name since 2009, according to election commission officials.

Aurora's early filing period was held to see if the city required a primary election on Feb. 22. Not enough candidates filed to trigger the need for such a primary.

An objection period will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, during which anyone can file an objection to any candidate. The election commission will then hold hearings to determine the validity of any objections.