The grants manager for the City of Bloomington is running for a seat on the McLean County Board.
William Bessler announced his 2026 candidacy as a Democrat to fill a vacancy created by District 4 board member Krystle Able's resignation. District 4 includes much of west and northwest Normal.
In a statement, Bessler said his inspiration to run for public office comes from his mother’s run for school board when he was in elementary school near Peoria.
“While her campaign was not successful, it taught me valuable lessons about dedication to your community and working to make it better for everyone,” he said.
Bessler characterizes himself as a pro-union candidate and lists infrastructure as a top priority, including green energy infrastructure.
Able said she's stepping down due to moving out of her district. Once her resignation is official, the board can accept applications and nominate a member to fill vacancies between elections. Bessler told WGLT he plans to apply to compete for the remainder of Able’s term, in addition to seeking election in 2026.
