Column: Aurora mayoral election goes negative unlike any other, say those on both sides
It seems to be a sign of the times.
With the majority of fingers pointed at social media, our national political landscape and outside influences, everyone I spoke to about the current Aurora mayoral election describe it as the ugliest campaign they have ever seen. And some of those folks – officials and ordinary residents alike – have been around for campaigns going back as far as the 1960s and '70s.
From police calls involving harassment complaints or yard signs to attack ads filling up residents' mailboxes and social media feeds, the election between incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin and Ald. John Laesch has gotten so nasty that multiple city leaders expressed fear it was dividing the city in ways that could be felt for years to come.
Count Linda Cole among those who were 'very concerned' about what this election says about the future of Aurora.
'It makes me sad that both sides are displaying such poor behavior,' said the former longtime Fox Valley Park District board member whose name is on the FVPD Cole Center.
Former Aurora alderman Sherman Jenkins expressed outright dismay over the way he's seeing longtime colleagues and friends 'go at each other in such a vicious way' during this mayoral campaign.
Curtis Wilson, who last year was named the city's first Volunteer of the Year, told me that many residents feel 'grief and a sense of dread of what is to come' following such a polarizing election that's produced so much 'ill will toward one another.'
It is, he insisted, 'a notable change in Aurora.'
No doubt part of the animosity between the two candidates is the fact they are miles apart politically, which should not even be an issue. The current form of government in Aurora, going back to 1976, 'was meant to be nonpartisan,' said Ald. Mike Saville, 6th Ward, who has been on the City Council for four decades, adding that, 'up until this election, people have lived up to that ideal.'
These days, however, the Laesch campaign is working hard to connect Irvin, a moderate Republican, to Donald Trump, and Irvin supporters are doing their best to paint the Progressive Laesch as a socialist. It doesn't help that the incumbent and his opponent already share a confrontational history – running against each other four years ago in a pandemic-impacted election that, in comparison to this election, seemed as mild as 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.'
While Laesch lost that election, he came back two years later to win an alderman at-large seat on the City Council, and the animosity between the two men has only deepened.
Adding fuel to the fire: the Democratic Party of Illinois is throwing its considerable heft behind Laesch's campaign in an effort to unseat Irvin, who made a GOP-backed primary run two years ago to oust Gov. JB Pritzker.
The divisiveness and vitriol at the state and especially national level is undoubtedly feeding into this local election, as society in general has become more tribal and insular, thanks in large part to the weaponization of social media.
'Negativity is not just something that permeates the Aurora election,' said former Aurora Mayor David Pierce, adding that when he first ran in 1985, the five candidates he beat not only remained on speaking terms after the election, 'but could even be considered friends.'
Unfortunately, as he pointed out, too often we've became a society that cannot engage in a disagreement without it involving shouting, name calling and personal attacks, he said.
Which leads Kane County Board member Ron Ford to wonder just what it is about our lives that we want to see or read or take part in such negativity.
Yes, it's taken hold at the national level, no question about it. But it has to be in a dark 'part of our souls for it to surface,' Ford said.
'That's the sad part. We try to tell our kids how to get along, but as adults, we act worse than the kids.'
Jim Pilmer, who retired in 2023 as executive director of the Fox Valley Park District, sees the polarization of local elections continuing, 'no matter what ZIP code you live in,' because 'outside influences are bringing their agendas into local government where they have no business.'
And, he added, 'even since the last city election,' it's gotten harder for the so-called silent majority to voice an opinion because extremists have taken over the platforms, he said.
The good news is that, for the most part, the Aurora aldermanic races don't seem to exhibit quite the vitriol as the mayoral race. And it also must be noted that much of the negativity flying around is out of the control of the two candidates.
'A consequential election like this with ripple effects invites a new political reality (of outsiders), many of whom don't wait for an invitation to get involved,' noted Rick Guzman, executive director of The Neighbor Project, who ran against Irvin eight years ago.
Recalling his own political experience, Guzman was taken aback by the number of mailers that go out to residents that the candidates 'did not directly or indirectly approve of.'
In other words, 'you can't control the messaging,' he said.
For his part, Mayor Irvin is convinced Aurora has come too far and is too 'Aurora Strong' to allow one election to impact its future.
'After April 1, we will get back to being that happy City of Lights that we are known for,' he said. 'And we will get back to being that city true Aurorans know and love.'
Laesch, too, spoke of a return to civility, noting that, in the face of likely federal cuts 'the city will have to come together to make sure our kids get an excellent education, can meet infrastructure shortfalls and work toward a living wage.'
Volunteer of the Year Wilson – whom Ald. Saville once referred to as a 'shining example to us all' – offered a suggestion on how the city can begin that healing process: After the election, he told me, both candidates – no matter who comes out on top – hold a town hall to discuss legitimate ways to move the city forward.
'No matter what the outcome, the election will likely be close, which means there will be a great number of residents who feel that the winner does not have their best interests at heart,' Wilson said.
'Give the winner a chance not just to extend the olive branch verbally but do so physically,' he said, noting that perhaps the two candidates 'could even do a volunteer project together … pull weeds maybe.'
It's a visual image that made me smile. But Wilson's point is valid.
'There has been so much drama and we need to clean up this mess,' he said. 'All of us still have a role in the success of this community.'
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