Next spring’s ballot for Springfield city elections continues to get crowded. Two more candidates say they are running for seats on the Springfield City Council.
Reverend T. Ray McJunkins of Union Baptist Church says he will run for Ward 1 alderman. He says he would represent the face of the entire community, from Lake Springfield to the inner city.
“When you look at that area, I’m representing a diverse group of people unlike Wards 2 and 3,” McJunkins says. “I’m comfortable with that diverse group.”
So far, his opponent is former alderman Chuck Redpath. Incumbent Frank Edwards is running for city treasurer.
Meanwhile, Dominic Elijah Watson is looking to unseat Ward 5 Alderman Sam Cahnman. Watson says residents tell him they need someone who is more reliable than Cahnman.
“There’s a disconnect,” Watson says. “There hasn’t been the best followup to issues taking place in the ward.”
Watson is a legislative aide to State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill). The Ward 5 race is now three-way: Watson, Andrew Proctor and incumbent Sam Cahnman.