Jim Langfelder
56th Mayor of Springfield
In office
May 7, 2015 – May 5, 2023
Preceded byJ. Michael Houston
Succeeded byMisty Buscher
Personal details
Born (1960-01-16) January 16, 1960
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBillie
Children3
RelativesOssie Langfelder (father)
EducationLincoln Land Community College
University of Illinois, Springfield (BA)

Jim Langfelder (born January 16, 1960) is the former mayor of Springfield, Illinois, the state capital and seat of Sangamon County. Prior to his election to Mayor of Springfield, he served as the city treasurer for three terms spanning from 2003 to 2015.[1] Municipal offices in Illinois are legally nonpartisan, however, Langfelder is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life

Langfelder was born in 1960 to Midge and Ossie Langfelder (who served as mayor from 1987 to 1995). He grew up in Springfield, one of thirteen children, attending both public and private schools. He went on to earn degrees at Lincoln Land Community College and the Sangamon State University. After college, he went into banking working in multiple roles at First of America Bank between 1988 and 1998 and later as business development officer at Security Bank.[2]

Political career

Langfelder was elected City Treasurer in 2003 defeating former state legislator Gwenn Klingler.[3][4]

In August 2014, Langfelder formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of Springfield joining a field that included incumbent mayor J. Michael Houston and Springfield Auditor Paul Palazzolo.[5] During the campaign Langfelder campaigned on being a consensus mayor in a very political city with a platform that included a free wifi zone in the downtown area, targeted employment sectors, boosting redevelopment of old downtown buildings, a focus on renewable energy at the public utility, and assisting city council members in creating individual plans for their ward that could serve as part of the city plan and having at least one member of his cabinet be African American.[3][6]

He won the February primary election in a five candidate field with 40% of the vote and won the April runoff election against Paul Palazzolo with 55% of the vote.[1] During the election, he earned the endorsements of the Sangamon County Democratic Party,[7] the Inner City Older Neighrborhoods organization,[8] the State Journal-Register,[3] and local labor unions including the Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, the Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council and AFSCME Council 31.[3][9]

In 2019, Langfelder was elected to a second term, defeating Republican Frank Edwards.[10]

In 2023, Langfelder lost his bid for a third term as mayor to Springfield city treasurer Misty Buscher. [11]

Electoral history

Springfield mayoral primary election, 2015
Candidate Votes Percentage
Mike Houston 3,182 18.72%
Paul Palazzolo 5,876 34.58%
Jim Langfelder 6,778 39.88%
Gail Simpson 776 4.57%
Samuel L. Johnson 382 2.25%
Totals 16,994 100.00%
Springfield mayoral election, 2015
Candidate Votes Percentage
Jim Langfelder 14,918 55.03%
Paul Palazzolo 12,191 44.97%
Totals 27,109 100.00%
Springfield mayoral election, 2019
Candidate Votes Percentage
Jim Langfelder 14,642 58.11%
Frank Edwards 10,557 41.89%
Totals 25,199 100.00%
Springfield mayoral election, 2023
Candidate Votes Percentage
Misty Buscher 13,614 51.46%
Jim Langfelder 12,841 48.54%
Totals 26,336 100.00%

References

  1. 1 2 Munks, Jamie (2015-04-07). "Jim Langfelder defeats Palazzolo in race for Springfield mayor". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  2. ↑ Munks, Jamie (2015-03-21). "Langfelder: It's all about public service". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Editorial Board (2015-03-27). "Our Opinion: In Springfield mayor's race, Jim Langfelder gets our endorsement". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  4. ↑ Munks, Jamie (March 22, 2015). "Langfelder: It's All About Public Service". The State Journal-Register. p. 1.
  5. ↑ Wall, Tobias (2014-08-02). "Jim Langfelder formally announces mayoral campaign". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  6. ↑ Staff Writer (2015-03-27). "Jim Langfelder Names Economic Development Director". 98.7 WNNS. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  7. ↑ Schoenburg, Bernard (2015-02-07). "Sangamon County Democrats back Jim Langfelder for mayor". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  8. ↑ "ICON Makes Endorsements In City Election". News/Talk 970 WMAY. 2015-03-25. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  9. ↑ Schoenburg, Bernard (2015-03-07). "Sanguinetti staff taking shape; labor endorses in Springfield races". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  10. ↑ "Langfelder coasts to second term as Springfield mayor". Archived from the original on 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  11. ↑ Don Gray, Sangamon County Clerk. "Sangamon County Consolidated Election". Retrieved 2022-04-04.
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