By: Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon News
April 5, 2017
Richard Irvin will become the 57th mayor of Aurora, the first of African-American descent. Irvin declared victory by about 170 votes late Tuesday night after a tense evening that included computer system crashes at both the Aurora and DuPage County election commissions, and lead changes going back and forth between Irvin and his opponent, Rick Guzman.
With all precincts in the city counted, Irvin held the lead over Guzman, according to unofficial vote totals reported by Aurora and DuPage election officials. Irvin had 7,574 votes to Guzman’s 7,404 votes, according to unofficial numbers.
“I believe in us, I believe in Aurora,” said Irvin in an animated speech to supporters at Gaslite Manor. “Based on the results tonight, Aurora believed in me.”
