Belleville mayor’s former advisers endorse her challenger as campaign ramps up
Two of Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory’s closest former advisers are throwing their support behind her challenger in the mayoral race.
Gigi Dowling Urban, who worked as administrative liaison to the mayor from the beginning of Gregory’s term in 2021 until she resigned last month, endorsed City Clerk Jenny Gain Meyer in a Facebook post this week.
“When I consider honestly which candidates will represent our citizens with hard work, honesty, and integrity, there really is no other choice,” wrote Urban, who also is running for Ward 2 alderperson in the April 1 consolidated election.
Urban also endorsed Shelly Schaefer for city clerk to replace Meyer and Kathy Kaiser for Ward 5 alderperson to replace Schaefer.
Kaiser is the other former close adviser to Gregory who’s supporting Meyer. She worked on Gregory’s 2021 campaign before serving as director of PR and communications for the city of Belleville for two and a half years. She resigned to take another job.
Last weekend, Kaiser went door to door with Meyer and Schaefer to hand out campaign literature. She shared Urban’s endorsement of Meyer on her own Facebook page and added a personal message.
“Her endorsement of both (Meyer) and (Schaefer) solidifies that we know what our city needs, and who will make the changes needed to take Belleville into the future that we all dream of — not only for our children — but for our grandchildren too!” Kaiser wrote.
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In 2021, Gregory defeated the late Mark Eckert, who had served as Belleville mayor more than 16 years. She made history as the city’s first female mayor.
In the current race, Gregory is aligned with Irma Golliday, who’s running against Schaefer for city clerk. A campaign poster shows Gregory and Golliday standing with arms folded under a construction-style sign.
“PARDON OUR DUST while we move Belleville forward!” it reads.
When asked about Urban and Kaiser endorsing Meyer, Gregory said she’s been friends with both for many years, but it’s their prerogative to support the candidate of their choice.
“Politics is more difficult than I ever predicted,” Gregory said.
“Of course, I’m disappointed (about the endorsements), but it’s their right to do. I still consider Gigi a friend. I consider Kathy a friend, too. But politics makes strange bedfellows. That’s an old cliche.”
Golliday couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Schaefer said Wednesday she’s an independent, non-partisan candidate for city clerk and not part of a slate, but she’s been joining forces with Meyer to canvass neighborhoods.
“We are working hard — the old fashioned way — knocking on doors and trying to talk to as many community members as we can face to face,” Schaefer said. “I don’t think people should have to come to us. We should go to them.”
Urban told the BND in January that she was leaving her job as administrative liaison to the mayor, mainly to spend more time on her campaign for Ward 2 alderperson. This week, she wrote on Facebook that she had intended to stay neutral in races for mayor and city clerk.
“But the reality of the situation is that Ward 2 benefits not only from effective leadership at the Council level but also from effective leadership in the Mayor’s and Clerk’s offices,” Urban wrote.
“I know (the endorsement) may cost me some votes … and some friendships … but it’s the right thing to do.”
A third person, Ryan Musick, has filed paperwork to be a write-in candidate for Belleville mayor, although the ballot won’t include his name, only a line on which voters can write it.
This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
