By Dylan Suttles, The Telegraph, Alton, Ill. The Tribune Content Agency
ALTON - Tuesday was the first day that Alton mayor candidates could begin filing their petitions in preparation for the April 2025 consolidated election.
On Tuesday, incumbent Mayor David Goins, former Mayor Brant Walker, and Ward 3 Alderman Raymond Strebel all had their petitions filed, according to Alton City Clerk Cheryl Ingle.
The time frame to file petitions runs from Nov. 12-18. Candidates must file with their local election official.
Alton resident Buzz Ullrich, who announced his mayoral campaign on Friday, has not filed his petitions. All mayoral candidates must collect more than 200 signatures by Nov. 18 to be on the ballot.
Ullrich said that if he does not collect the required signatures by this date, he will start a write-in campaign.
According to the Madison County website, a candidate must file a "Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In" form with the County Clerk at least 61 days before an election.
Ex-Mayor Brant Walker aims to reclaim Alton mayoral seat
David Goins, a pastor and retired Alton Police officer, defeated Walker in the 2021 election (2,021-1,625) to become the first Black mayor in Alton's history.
Brant Walker, who served as mayor of Alton from 2013-21, announced his campaign in July. Since leaving office as Alton's mayor Walker founded Lighthouse Hiring and serves as the president and senior recruiter.
Raymond Strebel announced that he is running for mayor in November. He will not seek re-election for his current alderman position. A Marquette High School graduate, Strebel received a bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.