ROCKFORD, IL — A day after Mayor Tom McNamara shocked the city by announcing he is leaving office midway through his third term, State Rep. Maurice West threw his hat into the ring to be Rockford’s next leader.
A state representative since he was first elected in November 2018, West is in his fifth term as a member of the General Assembly. West said he had given little thought to becoming mayor until he heard McNamara’s surprise announcement.
“I am a huge ally and friend of Mayor McNamara,” West said. “If he wanted to do two more terms, I would have been okay with that. We’re in this moment now, and one thing I do know, I love the city of Rockford. And so as I thought about it, prayed about it and talked to my family in the last 24 hours, I knew it was time.”
McNamara is resigning effective at the end of August to lead the Illinois Municipal League. The timing will allow voters to choose the next mayor of the city. There will be a mayoral primary if needed Feb. 23, 2027, followed by an April 6, 2027, municipal election. The elected mayor would take office May 3, 2027 and serve out the remainder of McNamara’s unexpired term until May 7, 2029.
West, 41, said that, if elected, he will resign from the Illinois House of Representatives to become the city’s full time mayor.
He is a 2003 graduate of Jefferson High School who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Illinois College and master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Married to his wife, Leslie, they have a 5-year-old daughter, Brien.
West said the relationships he has built as a Rockford native and while serving as state representative make him a strong candidate for mayor.
West said that he would be rolling out his platform and priorities in the coming weeks.
“Since I was 5 years old, I’ve been Rockford’s son,” West said. “Everything I’ve done in my life has been in part because of Rockford and it helped to benefit Rockford. We are in a unique position right now where 24 hours ago we heard some interesting information from our mayor and so I feel like I’m ready to lead. I’m ready to step up and come back home from Springfield.”
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: ‘Ready to lead,’ Maurice West launches campaign for Rockford mayor
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
