Aurora mayoral contest headed for a primary; more candidates join Naperville council race
For the first time since he was elected mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin is set to face a crowded field of opponents in a primary election.
Irvin and five mayoral challengers have filed to run in 2025, clearing the threshold for a primary to be held in February to narrow the field down to two candidates for the April consolidated election.
Monday was the last day for candidates in Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Wheaton to turn in their petitions to get their names on the ballot.
Here’s a rundown of some noteworthy races:
Aurora
Irvin is seeking a third term as leader of the state’s second-largest city. The other candidates are Alderman-at-large John Laesch, 3rd Ward Alderman Ted Mesiacos, former alderman Judd Lofchie, Karina Garcia and Jazmine Garcia. Laesch and Lofchie have run against Irvin before.
Candidates for a two-year 1st Ward alderman term are incumbent Dan Barreiro, Hugo Saltijeral, Jeffrey Donelson and Ray Hull.
Alfonso Santoyo and incumbent Juany Garza are seeking the 2nd Ward seat.
Over in Ward 4, Jeffrey Hansford, Jonathan Nunez and Jose Torres have filed. Incumbent Bill Donnell, who has been on the council 11 years, is not seeking reelection.
Incumbent Ron Woerman, Keith Larson and Arriana N. Dallmann have filed for an alderman-at-large position.
In Ward 7, incumbent Brandon Tolliver is seeking reelection and will face Javier Banuelos, Alex Arroyo and Saul Fultz.
Alderman Shweta Baid is seeking her second term representing the 10th Ward. Nobody is opposing her.
Incumbent Edward Bugg and Giovanni Santana filed for the Ward 9 post.
Naperville
Nine candidates, including three incumbents, are running for four available spots on the city council next April.
Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Ian Holzhauer and Benjamin White are seeking reelection to their council seats.
Derek McDaniel and Meghna Bansal, both currently Naperville planning and zoning commissioners, along with Naperville Library Board President Ashfaq Syed and Naperville Park District Board President Mary Gibson filed nominating petitions last week. Two more candidates, Farid Malik Shabazz and Nag Jaiswal, have since filed.
Paul Leong, who was elected to the council in 2021, opted not to seek another term.
He explained that when he first joined the city council he was working part-time, but now is working full-time and commuting regularly. After meeting with his family to discuss his political future, Leong said they decided it was time to go “in a different direction” to allow him more time to focus on his family.
“I'm thrilled to have served and I'm glad that the community embraced me,” said Leong, who also sat on the Naperville Unit District 203 school board before being elected to the city council. “I certainly have enjoyed serving.”
Elgin
Eight candidates have filed for the four seats up for election on the Elgin City Council in 2025.
Incumbents Corey Dixon, Dustin Good and Steve Thoren are joined by Diana Alfaro, Maggie Beyer, Cecilia Brooks, Erik Pena and Mark Smith. Current council member Carol Rauschenberger decided not to run for a fourth term.
Wheaton
Incumbent Scott Brown is set to face challenger Syed Hussain in his bid for reelection to the North District seat on the Wheaton City Council.
The city clerk’s office also received filing petitions for three other incumbents: Lynn Robbins, who now represents the city’s West District; Scott Weller, who holds the South District seat; and Michael Barbier, who represents the East District.
Objections to nomination petitions may be filed with the city clerk starting Tuesday through Nov. 4.
Campton Hills
Terese Hopfensperger, Kimberly Muhr and incumbents Michael Millette and Tom Williams filed for the three 4-year trustee seats available. Incumbent Ed Muncie and Francesco “Frank” Binetti have filed for a 2-year seat.
• Daily Herald staff writers Alicia Fabbre, Rick West and Katlyn Smith contributed to this report