Brink and Troup to have lottery to see who is atop the Feb. GOP primary ballot; Rein pulls petitions for mayor and alderman

October 21, 2024 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher

Former Quincy Alderman Dan Brink and current Mayor Mike Troup turn in their petitions to run for mayor Monday morning in the Quincy City Clerk's office. — Photo by J. Robert Gough

QUINCY — Two GOP mayoral candidates turned in petitions at the beginning of the filing period Monday morning at Quincy City Hall.

Brink was first in line with 740 signatures on his petitions. Troup was third in line behind former City Clerk Janet Hutmacher, who was turning in the petitions for City Clerk Laura Oakman.

“It’s kind of a tradition,” said Hutmacher, who retired in 2003. “Jenny (Hayden, who was deputy city clerk under Hutmacher then became city clerk upon her retirement) did it for me and I’ve done it for her and Laura.”

Oakman is seeking her second term as city clerk.

Troup said he had “fifty-something” signatures, but because both he and Brink were in line when the clerk’s office opened at 8:30 a.m., the two men will participate in a lottery for the top spot on the Feb. 25 primary ballot next week, after the filings close at 5 p.m. on Oct. 28.

Former city treasurer Linda Moore has announced an independent candidacy for mayor. Petitions for independent candidates don’t have to be filed until Nov. 12 through 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 18 from 8:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Two other Republicans have pulled petitions for mayor, Karen Smith and Fifth Ward Alderman Mike Rein. Rein also pulled petitions to run for re-election as alderman, but he must choose between which office he wants to run for and has until Oct. 28 to decide.

City Treasurer Kelly Stupasky, who was appointed to the post following Moore’s retirement on Dec. 31, filed petitions to run as a Democrat to retain the office. Stupasky ran for and won a spot on the Quincy Park Board in 2017 and served one term. Park Board seats are non-partisan.

Quincy Township Assessor Lisa Gasko and Township Supervisor Maggie Hoyt also filed their petitions for for the Feb. primary. Gasko was appointed as assessor in 2015 following the retirement of Roy Points and Hoyt was appointed to her post in 2022 following the retirement of Cindy Brink.

Aldermanic candidates who turned in petitions as the clerk’s office opened Monday included Richie Reis (D-6th Ward) and Greg Fletcher (R-1st Ward). Two Republican candidates for third ward alderman, Robert Eyler and Tim Lohmeyer, also turned in petitions.

The winner of the Feb. 25 primaries will advance to the consolidated election on April 1.