By HOI ABC

NORMAL – Still more than two-months away from November’s general election, a candidate has come forward saying he intends to run next spring for a seat on the Normal Town Council.

A.J. Zimmerman, currently chairman of the Normal Planning Commission, picked up his nominating petitions Tuesday for one of three council seats that will be up for election April 6, according to our news partner HOI ABC.

Zimmerman has lived in Normal the past 12-years. He was raised in Nevada and worked as a prosecutor in Phoenix, Arizona.

Zimmerman’s campaign slogan is “Listen. Learn. Lead.” He said in a news release he wants to avoid the “divisive rhetoric that is becoming more prevalent at all levels of government.”

“We can do this by listening to each other, having meaningful, positive conversations, and better understanding the various community perspectives,” Zimmerman said.

Incumbent council members Chemberly Cummings, Kevin McCarthy, and Scott Preston have not announced whether they will run for reelection. Cummings is on the ballot this year as the Democratic candidate for the State Representative in the 105th Legislative District. Her opponent is Republican incumbent Dan Brady.

Mayor Chris Koos has not announced whether he will seek another term, but his opponent who lost by 11 votes in the last mayoral election, Marc Tiritilli, said he intends to run again next year.

Candidates have until November 23 to file their nominating petitions.