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Bloomington, Normal Council Candidates File For April Elections

McLean County Government Center
WGLT file photo
Bloomington and Normal city council candidates must file by Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. to appear on the ballot for the April 2 elections.

Ten candidates have filed to run for city council seats in Bloomington and Normal as of Monday afternoon.

Monday is the first day for candidates to submit nominating petitions for the April 2 municipal elections. The deadline is Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

Normal Town Council incumbents Kathleen Lorenz and R.C. McBride and newcomers Stan Nord and Dave Shields each filed their petitions at 8:30 a.m. The town will conduct a lottery Dec. 3 to determine ballot placement.

Newcomer Karyn Smith filed her candidacy later in the day. Joel Studebaker and Pat Turner have also publicly declared their intentions to run for one of three open seats on the council. Longtime incumbent Jeff Fritzen said previously he is not seeking re-election.

If 13 or more candidates filed, it would trigger a primary election in February.

Bloomington City Council

Five candidates have filed for city council seats in Bloomington as of Monday afternoon.

Donna Boelen and Georgene Chissell both filed for the Ward 2 seat at 8:30 a.m. The Bloomington Election Commission will hold a lottery Dec. 28 to determine ballot placement.

Three-term incumbent David Sage has said he’s not seeking re-election.

Don Frank filed his candidacy in Ward 4. Incumbent Amelia Buragas hasn’t said whether she will seek re-election, but she recently applied for two vacant judgeships on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Jenn Carrillo filed for the Ward 6 council seat. Incumbent Karen Schmidt has said she plans to run for a sixth term on the council.

Jeff Crabill submitted petitions in Ward 8, where Diana Hauman isn’t seeking a second term. Josh Barnett announced on Monday he won't file for the city council seat as planned and will instead focus on his work on the McLean County Board.

Bloomington Election Commission Paul Shannon said five candidates in any race is the minimum for holding a primary.

Bloomington and Normal municipal elections are nonpartisan.

Editor's note: R.C. McBride is GLT general manager.

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Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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