Candidates are critical of big money spending in local politics.
Sid Ruckriegel was the biggest spender but didn't advance to the general election.
Experience. A track record. Building a diverse coalition. Even learning from a loss.
Those are among the factors that the two finalists in Peoria's mayoral race believe helped them to advance to the April 6 general election.
Both Rita Ali, who finished at the top with 39% of the vote, and Jim Montelongo, who finished second with 24%, said they thought voters rewarded their experience in public life.
Ali has served on the council for two years, but she said her experience runs deeper than that.