Politics

2-Term Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin Concedes to Challenger John Laesch

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin conceded Tuesday evening ito his challenger, Alderman-at-large John Laesch.

Irvin, who was first elected as mayor in 2017, garnered 47.5% of the vote to Laesch’s 52.5%, according to the unofficial results available late Tuesday night. A military veteran and attorney, Irvin was elected to the Aurora City Council in 2007 as alderman-at-large.

While he comfortably won reelection in 2021, Irvin faced stiffer political headwinds this year. After running in the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2022, where he came in third despite a $50 million war chest funded by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, many on the left took aim at Irvin during this election cycle.

While Aurora’s elections are nonpartisan, the Democratic Party of Illinois funded anti-Irvin campaign messaging independently of the Laesch campaign, while Laesch himself was endorsed by U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García and Delia Rarmiez, former Gov. Pat Quinn and state Sen. Karina Villa.

Five opponents sought to replace Irvin during a first round of voting in February, with four of them seeing it through to election day. In that first round of voting, Irvin garnered 39.5% and Laesch 34.1%.

Laesch, first elected to Aurora’s City Council in 2023, has made two previous unsuccessful bids for Congress and ran for mayor in 2021. Also a vet and a union carpenter, Laesch has for years decried Irvin’s ties to people and companies doing business with the city – who have also heavily backed the campaign funds of Irvin and his allies.

In this campaign, Laesch also called for infrastructure improvements, green building standards, and a focus on quality-of-life issues.

Irvin’s campaign has touted public safety and economic development as some of his major achievements and areas of focus.  That includes championing a new Hollywood Casino near Interstate 88, as well as work to attract residents and businesses to the city’s historic downtown.

Contact Nick Blumberg: [email protected] | (773) 509-5434 | @ndblumberg

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