Highland Park Mayor Ray Geraci, who, in his first term, has directed his efforts to revitalizing the city’s downtown shopping district and to acquiring Ft. Sheridan for a housing development, announced this week that he will seek re-election to a second term next April.
“Highland Park is one of America’s great communities,” Geraci said. “All of us should be proud of what we have and make sure it remains an exciting, livable and affordable city for all of our residents.”
Geraci said he decided to make his plans known early after being encouraged by supporters, including Martha and Lorry Hershenson, who will co-chair his campaign committee.
Geraci is expected to be challenged by Daniel M. Pierce, Highland Park’s former two-term mayor and state lawmaker, who has said he is planning a 1999 mayoral campaign.
Geraci, a former councilman, narrowly defeated Pierce in the 1995 municipal election. It was a political comeback for Geraci, who served as Highland Park mayor in the 1970s.