Few surprises came out of the first day that candidates could file petitions to run for municipal offices in this April’s consolidated elections.Three candidates for Galesburg City Council turned in petitions by 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Longtime Galesburg Public Works Director Larry Cox, who retired in 2015, declared his intent to run.
Cox says he was thinking about running but made the plunge after watching President George H.W. Bush’s funeral, inspired by the late Commander in Chief’s service throughout his life.
Cox tells WGIL he thinks his knowledge of the inner workings of city government would make him a good alderman but doesn’t necessarily think he will make that a cornerstone of his campaign.
WGIL previously reported that real estate agent, Bradley Hix intended to run in Ward 1 and Knox College professor, Peter Schwartzman intended to run in Ward 5 for a third term.
Both Hix and Schwartzman also filed petitions Monday.
Candidates that have indicated to WGIL their intent to run but didn’t file on Monday include incumbent Angela Bastian in Ward 1, incumbent Russell Fleming in Ward 5, retired firefighter Ted Hoffman Jr. in Ward 5 and local attorney Ashley Worby in Ward 7.
Only one candidate filed to run for District 205’s school board, new challenger, Rodney Phelps, a Cameron resident.
The District 205 Board is made up of 4 members in Galesburg township, and 3 members that live outside Galesburg township.
Two of the “out of township” seats are up in 2019.
Phelps will hope to win one of those, as he’ll likely challenge current Vice-President Amy Pickrel, who has told WGIL she will run.
Jean Ann Glasnovich also holds an out of township seat that’s up in April, but she has given no indication on if she’ll seek re-election.
Two in-township seats are up next year, the ones held by Wayne Statham, who says he will not run and Tianna Cervantez who has not told WGIL about her intentions.
These are not the final slate of candidates. Petitions can be turned in up until Dec. 17 at 5 p.m.
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