Live election coverage: Do Peoria voters favor incumbents? Recent trends say they do.
Journal Star staff
5:50 p.m.
Generally speaking, modern-day Peoria's city elections have favored incumbents in office. Since 2001, there have been 52 seats up for election between at-large seats and district seats (that includes two unexpired terms for at-large seats in 2017). Only five sitting council members have been defeated over that time:
In 2005: 2nd District Councilwoman Marcella Teplitz lost to Barbara Van Auken.
In 2005: 3rd District Councilwoman Gale Thetford lost to Bob Manning. (She's seeking to reclaim the seat in today's balloting.)
In 2013: 2nd District Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken lost to Chuck Grayeb.