Jim Langfelder

Jim Langfelder (born January 16, 1960) is the former mayor of Springfield, Illinois, the state capital and seat of Sangamon County. Prior to his election to Mayor of Springfield, he served as the city treasurer for three terms spanning from 2003 to 2015. Municipal offices in Illinois are legally nonpartisan, however, Langfelder is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life Langfelder was born in 1960 to Midge and Ossie Langfelder (who served as mayor from 1987 to 1995). He grew up in Springfield, one of thirteen children, attending both public and private schools. He went on to earn degrees at Lincoln Land Community College and the Sangamon State University. After college, he went into banking working in multiple roles at First of America Bank between 1988 and 1998 and later as business development officer at Security Bank.

Political career Langfelder was elected City Treasurer in 2003 defeating former state legislator Gwenn Klingler.

In August 2014, Langfelder formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of Springfield joining a field that included incumbent mayor J. Michael Houston and Springfield Auditor Paul Palazzolo. During the campaign Langfelder campaigned on being a consensus mayor in a very political city with a platform that included a free wifi zone in the downtown area, targeted employment sectors, boosting redevelopment of old downtown buildings, a focus on renewable energy at the public utility, and assisting city council members in creating individual plans for their ward that could serve as part of the city plan and having at least one member of his cabinet be African American.

He won the February primary election in a five candidate field with 40% of the vote and won the April runoff election against Paul Palazzolo with 55% of the vote. the Inner City Older Neighbourhoods organization, the State Journal-Register,

In 2019, Langfelder was elected to a second term, defeating Republican Frank Edwards.

In 2023, Langfelder lost his bid for a third term as mayor to Springfield city treasurer Misty Buscher.

Electoral history + Springfield mayoral primary election, 2015 Candidate Votes Percentage Mike Houston 3,182 18.72% Paul Palazzolo 5,876 34.58% Jim Langfelder 6,778 39.88% Gail Simpson 776 4.57% Samuel L. Johnson 382 2.25% Totals 16,994 100.00% + Springfield mayoral election, 2015 Candidate Votes Percentage Jim Langfelder 14,918 55.03% Paul Palazzolo 12,191 44.97% Totals 27,109 100.00% + Springfield mayoral election, 2019 Candidate Votes Percentage Jim Langfelder 14,642 58.11% Frank Edwards 10,557 41.89% Totals 25,199 100.00% + Springfield mayoral election, 2023 Candidate Votes Percentage Misty Buscher 13,614 51.46% Jim Langfelder 12,841 48.54% Totals 26,336 100.00%