It appears Washington will have a contested mayoral race.
Ward I Alderman Lili Stevens said she's filing to run against 20-year incumbent Gary Manier.
Stevens moved to Washington with her family 30 years ago. She said while she can't compete with Manier's experience, she believes it's time for someone different in the mayor's chair.
"We need greater communication within our council and with our community. It’s time for a change," Stevens said.
Stevens was elected to the council in its first nonpartisan election last year. She was one of the main proponents of the successful referendum effort to scrap partisan municipal races in Washington. It's a move many Illinois communites already have implemented; Washington was one of the last holdouts. Previously, the entire city government was dominated by Republicans.
Manier said he wants to serve another four years as mayor to lead the city through the crisis created by COVID-19, just as he led the city through the aftermath and recovery of the 2013 EF-4 tornado.
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