SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Two political rivals of Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher appeared at the city clerk’s office Monday afternoon, the last day to file petitions for the April 6, 2027 city election.

Former city budget director Bill McCarty (pictured, right) is the third candidate to run for mayor, following Buscher and former Ald. Gail Simpson. McCarty told reporters former mayor Jim Langfelder recruited him and is giving him his support. Buscher defeated Langfelder in 2023. “I think back to my time as mayor of Williamsville and my time as budget director,” McCarty told reporters after filing, “and those were the hardest jobs I ever had, but they were also the most rewarding jobs I ever had, because you can make a real impact on your community. And I really enjoyed doing that. Running for mayor would give me the opportunity to do that again.” McCarty said the city is headed in the wrong direction under Buscher and is in need of a fresh start. He did not offer specifics Monday.

Josh Langfelder, a brother and son of former mayors, lost his re-election bid as Sangamon County recorder by 31 votes to Frank Lesko two years ago. Monday he became the second candidate for city clerk. “I love Springfield,” Langfelder said after filing. “It’s just something that. people say, it’s in your blood. I just enjoy public service and helping individuals, and I really want to see Springfield thrive.” Langfelder says he vacillated between running for clerk and for mayor, saying the former would allow him more family time, saying one daughter has never forgiven him for missing her only softball home run.

McCarty currently works for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Langfelder for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

Running unopposed will be incumbent treasurer Colleen Redpath Feger, newcomer Brian Baskett in Ward 4, and Ward 7 incumbent Ald. Brad Carlson. Former aldermen seeking a return to the horseshoe are Sam Cahnman in Ward 5 and Mark Mahoney in Ward 6. In addition to Baskett in Ward 4,

City clerk Chuck Redpath, appointed after Lesko won election as county recorder, is not running.

Among the incumbents, Ward 4 Ald. Larry Rockford and Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley are not seeking new terms, and Alds. Jim Donelan in Ward 9 and Ralph Hanauer in Ward 10 have served the maximum three terms and cannot run again. All other incumbents – Alds. Jeff Cox in Ward 1, Shawn Gregory in Ward 2, Roy Williams in Ward 3, Lakeisha Purchase in Ward 5, and Jennifer Notariano in Ward 6 – are seeking re-election.

The full list of city candidates is below. They are listed, within each race, in the order of when they filed.

 

Mayor
Misty Buscher
Gail Simpson
Bill McCarty

Clerk
Spurgeon Johnson
Josh Langfelder

Treasurer
Colleen Redpath Feger

Ward 1
Jeff Cox
Juan Huerta

Ward 2
Shawn Gregory
Mary Shanklin

Ward 3
Roy Williams
Bill Eddington

Ward 4
Brian Baskett

Ward 5
Lakeisha Purchase
Colin Phillips
Sam Cahnman

Ward 6
Mark Mahoney
Jennifer Notariano
Kevin Slot

Ward 7
Brad Carlson

Ward 8
Teresa Tran
Kate Smith
Tony Mares

Ward 9
C.J. Metcalf
Andrew Spiro
Rosanne Pulido

Ward 10
Maek Zeigler
Chris Walcher