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Campbell’s mayor is being challenged by a retired city police officer
CAMPBELL
William J. Vansuch, Campbell’s mayor since Jan. 5, 2011, is seeking re-election with a former city police officer challenging him.
Vansuch and Nick Phillips were the only candidates to file for Campbell mayor by Tuesday’s deadline.
Vansuch’s political career in the city goes back to 1974 when he started serving as 2nd Ward councilman. He spent 20 years as council president, and also was city administrator and litter-control coordinator.
“I do this because I love this city,” said Vansuch, 74. “I truly enjoy what I’m doing.”
Vansuch was council president when he replaced George Krinos, who resigned as mayor Jan. 4, 2011.
He defeated Lewis F. Jackson Jr., a former city administrator and 4th Ward councilman, in close elections in 2011 and 2013.
This is Phillips’ first time running for public office.
“I’m not a politician, but I love my city, and I don’t like the direction it’s been going for years,” he said.
Phillips, 51, served 19 years with the city’s police department, leaving in 2004 as a detective sergeant. He’s owned a few businesses, including a motorcycle repair and customizing shop, a delicatessen and a home-inspection company.
All nonjudicial races in Campbell are for two-year terms.
Incumbents for council president and in the 1st, 3rd and 4th wards are running unopposed in this election.
In the 2nd Ward, Councilman Bryan Tedesco is being challenged by Steven J. Cappitte.
The only other competitive race in Campbell is for law director between incumbent Brian J. Macala and challenger Mark J. Kolmacic. This will be the third time since 2007 the two have faced each other for law director.
In 2007, Kolmacic beat Macala, who was the incumbent. Two years later, Kolmacic ran unopposed. In 2011, Macala beat Kolmacic, and ran unopposed in 2013.
Tuesday also was the deadline to file nominating petitions for candidates running for mayor and for two council seats in Sebring.
Sebring Mayor J. Michael Pinkerton will run unopposed as will Councilman David L. Wright and James R. Cannell, who is not an incumbent. Incumbent James Harp isn’t seeking re-election.
The charters of Campbell and Sebring require candidates to file for a potential nonpartisan runoff. The runoff is designed to have no more than two candidates for each position in the November general election.
When there are two candidates or fewer for a position – as it is this year – there is no runoff.