Race for Kenosha mayor: Bogdala and Spottswood advance

 

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Kenosha's crowded race for mayor has been whittled down to just two candidates. David Bogdala and Lydia Spottswood will face off in the April election.

And the race for mayor has created quite the buzz in Kenosha because for over two decades, Kenosha's called just one person mayor. Now he's stepping down.

Voter turnout was slow going early in the day, despite the sunshine.

"It kind of disappoints me. I mean this is one of our rights as an American, to vote and to express what we think is right," said Ken Heike, voter.

Ken Heike brought his son, Kenneth, to the polls. It's Kenneth's first time to cast a Kenosha ballot.

"Feel good to have that right to vote and it feels good, it feels American," said Kenneth Heike II.

Even the outgoing mayor's had a big interest in this primary.

"I've enjoyed this immensely. It was a wonderful time," said incumbent Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian.

Mayor John Antaramian spent Election Day visiting polling places like Journey Church, one of Kenosha's largest in terms of the number of registered voters. Mayor Antaramian tells us he's not surprised his retirement drew a lot of candidates to the race.

"I've been here for 24 years. The previous mayor was eight. So, 32 years," said Mayor Antaramian.

These nine candidates went for it. That number was whittled down to two after Kenosha's primary.

"Pretty much everyone has been very cordial and respectful to each other," said Mayor Antaramian.

The candidates faced off in a recent forum.

"As for what has had the largest impact on my life in Kenosha, it's my faith family at First Presbyterian Church," said Lydia Spottswood.

We caught up with David Bogdala Election Day as he voted alongside his teenage son.

"It's an exciting day; really, more exciting for me, is the fact I get to come here with my 18-year-old son. It's his first time voting...and it's really exciting for him to be able to be out here with me," said Alderman Bogdala.

Kenosha also counted nearly 3,900 absentee ballots.