John Laesch | |
|---|---|
| Mayor ofAurora | |
| Assumed office May 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Irvin |
| Alderman ofAurora at-large | |
| In office May 2023 – May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Sherman Jenkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 (age 50–51) |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jennifer Laesch |
| Alma mater | Illinois State University |
| Profession | Union Carpenter |
John Laesch (born 1974) is an AmericanDemocratic politician from theU.S. state ofIllinois. He is the mayor ofAurora, Illinois, after defeating incumbentRichard Irvin in 2025. He served as an alderman in Aurora from 2023 to 2025, and was a candidate for Congress in 2006 and 2008.
Laesch was born inMonrovia,Liberia tomissionary parents. A veteran of theUnited States Navy, he enlisted in 1995 and served as an intelligence analyst in theMiddle East. Following his honorable discharge from the military in 1999, Laesch earned a degree in history fromIllinois State University.[1]
As of 2006, Laesch worked as aunioncarpenter.
Laesch is a politicalprogressive.[1] He has held various leadership roles in Democratic campaigns in his state. In 2004, Laesch served as thecampaign manager for David Gill inIllinois' 15th congressional district.[1]
In 2006, Laesch ran forIllinois's 14th congressional district against RepublicanDennis Hastert. During this campaign, Hastert was linked to the2006 Mark Foley scandal, which Laesch expected to help his campaign.[1][2] Laesch was considered a member of theFighting Dems, former members of theU.S. Armed Forces who ran for election to the Congress in 2006.[3] On November 7, Laesch lost in his bid to unseat Hastert, with Hastert winning 59.79% to Laesch's 40.21%.[4]
Laesch ran in the2008 Illinois's 14th congressional district special election, following Hastert's resignation in 2007. However, he lost the Democratic primary toBill Foster (who later went on to flip the seat).[5][6] Laesch ran again in the November2008 election for the seat, and again lost to Foster in the primary.[7]
Laesch successfully ran for theEast Aurora School District 131 board in 2015, winning a four-year term.[8][9] Laesch did not run for reelection in 2019, leaving office on April 30 of that year.[10]
Laesch ran for mayor of Aurora in 2021, but lost toRichard Irvin. He successfully ran for an at-large seat on Aurora's city council in 2023, defeating incumbent Sherman Jenkins.[11][12]
In 2025, Laesch again ran for mayor against Irvin. He won the election by about 5percentage points.[12]
In September 2025, Laesch defied presidential and state government orders to lower flags at all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and throughout the United States through September 14th in honor of all victims of political violence.[13] This was afterCharlie Kirk had just been assassinated on September 10th.[14]
