SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – All you have to do for the opportunity to be first on the ballot is to be in line by 8 a.m. on the first day to file. But Springfield Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson (pictured, right) and Ward 6 challenger Mark Mahoney (pictured, center) – a former alderman – would not take any chances. They were at the city clerk’s office Monday at 4:30 a.m. and 4:55 a.m., respectively.

The election for city offices is April 6, 2027. If a primary is needed, that election will be Feb. 23. Races with five or more candidates will have a primary. Oct. 26 is the last day to file. “I don’t perceive this is going to have any primaries,” said city clerk Chuck Redpath. “I haven’t heard of any other candidates, other than two or three (per race) at the most.”

One thing is certain: the only Redpath on the ballot will be incumbent treasurer Colleen Redpath Feger, the clerk’s daughter.

Carlson said if his constituents “put their trust in me to run for a second term, they like my voting record, then I want to return the favor and be first in line.”

Mahoney is challenging Ward 6 incumbent Jennifer Notariano, who also was in line before 8 a.m. He said, “My approach has always been to be responsive. People remember I had office hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays, I am going back to that, having those hours. I know when people called me, they got a phone call back, so that’s a missing piece right now.”

Mayor Misty Buscher will have at least one challenger: former Ward 2 Ald. Gail Simpson.