In the next four years, Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies hopes to complete a number of projects already underway in the city and recruit a new city administrator with experience in economic development and government finance.
“That person also has to be the right fit with our community and our values,” Davies said after winning a sixth mayoral term in Tuesday’s consolidated election.
Davies said City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher will stay on a while longer and assist with the search.
In addition to leading the process of hiring a new city administrator, Davies wants to continue overseeing downtown revitalization and complete ongoing infrastructure improvements.
“I do really look forward to getting to work on another four years,” Davies said.
Davies said he’s humbled by the outcome of the election. He received 55% of the vote to defeat challenger Sean Cavanaugh, a longtime member of the Warren County board.
“I'm truly blessed to have so many people and friends that stepped up and put up yard signs and knocked on doors and spread the word among their family and friends,” Davies said.
Davies defeated Cavanaugh by just under 150 votes. Cavanaugh’s campaign — including mailers funded by the Make Illinois Great Illinois PAC — was highly critical of the incumbent over issues from road conditions to vacant lots in the city.
Davies said that’s not how he campaigns.
“In every one of my campaigns, I've tried to do the same thing. It's not to speak about my opponent, but to talk about the things that we've accomplished, what we have before us, our vision to try to finish the work we have, and to do everything we can to revitalize our downtown and help our large employers grow jobs,” he said.
In a post thanking his supporters, Cavanaugh said he wanted a different result, but urged people to respect the outcome.
“I will be back to fight another day, as I will pick myself up, brush myself off, and keep on trucking,” Cavanaugh wrote. “In the meantime, I ask that everyone respect the results and give Rod, the winner, the chance for him to succeed. We all want Monmouth to succeed.”
There were no contested races for the Monmouth city council in Tuesday’s election. And in Ward 2, there were no candidates.
Davies said he believes negative campaigning in recent elections may have something to do with that.
“I hope that this election will get rid of some of that negativity and focus on the positive aspect of public service,” Davies said. “These are not political campaigns. They're about public service and about serving your community and doing everything you can to that end.”
One of Davies’ next tasks will be to nominate a candidate to fill the Ward 2 seat.
Davies also thanked his family for their support.
“It's not easy going through a tough campaign. It's even harder for the families of candidates. And I've been ordered to say I promised my family that this will be my final campaign,” Davies said.
Davies is the longest-serving mayor in Monmouth history.
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