Violet Miller/Sun-Times
In a stunning political upset, current Aurora Alderman John Laesch unofficially secured over 52% of the vote in Tuesday’s consolidated election, unseating incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin. Irvin, who has served as Aurora’s mayor since 2017, conceded the election just hours after polls closed, marking a significant shift in the city’s leadership.
Speaking to an energized crowd of supporters, Laesch heralded the election results as the beginning of a new era for the City of Lights.
“Tonight, the candle of hope burns a little brighter in our city, in our state, and across the United States of America. Nine months ago, we stood along the bank of the Fox River, and there was a good number of you that were out there when we first announced. I told you that in nine months, we would give birth to a radical new idea of a government and economy that works for everybody,” said John Laesch.
Laesch’s victory is seen as a referendum on his progressive platform, which emphasized economic justice, government accountability, and equitable development for all residents. His campaign, built on grassroots organizing, drew support from a broad coalition of voters who were eager for change.
Meanwhile, Richard Irvin’s tenure saw both praise and criticism. While some lauded his efforts in economic development and public safety, others expressed frustration over affordability concerns and transparency issues within city government. His administration was also marked by his controversial Republican-backed gubernatorial run in 2022, which some argue alienated segments of Aurora’s electorate.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file
With Laesch preparing to take office, many in Aurora are eager to see how his administration will tackle pressing issues such as housing affordability, small business support, and infrastructure investment.
Stay tuned as we continue to cover the transition of leadership in Aurora and what this means for the future of Illinois’ second-largest city.
Question – Do parties even matter in today’s political climate? People are recalling Richard Irving ran for mayor as a Democrat but ran Republican for governor.
