Dubiel Drops Out Of Naperville's Mayoral Race

Caption: Radio station-owner Matt Dubiel in a relaxed pose. Dubiel announced Friday that he is dropping out of Naperville’s mayoral race because of legal challengers to his nominating petitions.

Matt Dubiel announced that he is dropping out of Naperville’s mayoral race because of objections to his nominating petitions filed by residents questioning his residency.

Dubiel, 37, who owns two radio stations, was the last of the five mayoral candidates to submit nominating petitions to run for departing Mayor George Pradel’s seat.

Three residents, including Naperville City Council member Bob Fieseler, had filed objections opposing Dubiel’s name appearing on the ballot stating that he does not meet residency requirements. Dubiel resides in unincorporated Will County but has a Naperville postal address.

Fieseler is leaving the city council after serving two terms.

Late Friday afternoon, Dubiel issued the following statement saying he was formally withdrawing from the race:

“It was with the best of intentions that I entered into the race for mayor of Naperville: to seek to better the lives of all residents of our community. I am truly humbled by the support of my family, friends and the community at large.

As you may know, my candidacy for this office has been the subject of legal challenges based upon a ’residency requirement.’ While my family’s connection to the City of Naperville and its surrounding environs is real and genuine, I have been advised by my attorney that a legal loophole prevents me from ultimately remaining on the ballot.

Therefore, I intend to formally withdraw my candidacy for mayor of Naperville.”

Naperville’s municipal electoral board was poised to meet on Monday to discuss whether Dubiel’s name should remain on the ballot.

The departure of Dubiel’s name from the ballot means that the mayoral race will go directly to the general election on April 7, 2015.