Diane Marlin wins Urbana mayoral race
The mayoral debate for Urbana that took place at the Urbana City Council Chambers on Jan. 30. Marlin will be the next mayor of Urbana, defeating Rex Bradfield with 86.25 percent of the vote.
April 4, 2017
Diane Marlin trumped Rex Bradfield in the April 4 Urbana mayoral race, winning with 86 percent of the vote in all 23 precincts, according to the Champaign County clerk’s office.
Marlin believes that “Urbana is a city with a heart and unique personality,” according to her mayoral race website.
As mayor, Marlin said she’ll work for an effective government, hospital property tax exemptions, economic development, safe neighborhoods and engaged citizens.
Marlin announced her mayoral candidacy last summer and has served as an Urbana alderwoman since 2009.
In the February democratic primaries, Marlin won 57 percent of the vote, beating the incumbent mayor Laurel Prussing and the third candidate Evelyn Underwood.
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Marlin has lived in Urbana since 1971 and graduated from the University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a master’s degree in Foods and Nutrition.
Bradfield was the Republican candidate for mayor of Urbana.
This was Bradfield’s third attempt at the Urbana mayoral race, according to Illinois Public Media.
Bradfield graduated from the University and worked as an engineer, land surveyor and small business owner.
He disagreed with democrats in raising property taxes on residents and the beautification process of Urbana, saying it hurt business.
Last spring, Bradfield lost the primary for Champaign County Recorder and he lost twice against Laurel Prussing for Urbana mayor in 2009 and 2013. In 2006, he unsuccessfully ran for the Illinois House.
This is Bradfield’s last time running for the mayoral office, according to the News Gazette.
A previous version of this article misspelled Rex Bradfield. The Daily Illini regrets this error.
