Compile Potential Candidate List and Establish Caucus Mayoral Search Committee

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Timeline: By end of June of the election year

Objective: Create initial candidate list, form Mayoral Search Subcommittee, and familiarize members of the Subcommittee with the Mayoral Selection Process.

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Step 1

Caucus President and Vice President shall generate a list of candidates that have self-identified, completed a Caucus “Volunteer Profile Sheet”, or were recommended by members of the City Council, City Manager, City staff, Lake Forest Caucus Committee Members, former City office holders or Lake Forest residents.

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Step 2

Caucus President or Vice President shall confirm the candidate meets the City of Lake Forest Requirements documented in Caucus Mayoral Candidate Qualifications.

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Step 3

Caucus President or Vice President shall contact each candidate to evaluate his or her level of interest, desire and availability to serve as Mayor.  The candidate shall be informed he or she will be required to participate in the Caucus interview process and the candidate will receive the endorsement of the Caucus only if the candidate is advanced through the interview process and is selected for endorsement by the Caucus.  Candidates must be willing to run in a contested election.

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Step 4

City staff and elected officials and other community members may be asked to review the candidate list to provide input to the Caucus President and/or Vice President on each potential candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, in particular including as to ability to work collaboratively with City staff and elected and appointed officials.  This feedback shall be shared with the Mayor Search Subcommittee.

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Step 5

Caucus President and Vice President shall create an odd-numbered Caucus Mayoral Search Subcommittee open to any serving Caucus Committee member who can commit the time.  The Caucus President and Vice President shall be a member of the Mayoral Search Subcommittee.

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First Interview Round

Timeline: By end of July of the election year

Objective: Advance candidates who should be able to effectively collaborate with City staff and elected and appointed City officials, have a breadth of knowledge of City government including Boards, Committees, and Commissions and have the demonstrated skill sets and experience to function in a civic executive leadership position.

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Step 6

An interview with each candidate shall be conducted by the Mayoral Search Subcommittee to assess each candidate’s required skills and experience documented in Caucus Mayoral Candidate Qualifications.

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Step 7

The Mayoral Search Subcommittee shall reduce the candidate list to ideally 5-7 based on the results of the candidate interviews.

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Reference Checks

Timeline: By end of August of the election year

Objective: Advance candidates with whom references, City staff, and elected and appointed officials have confirmed can collaborate effectively to serve the best interests of Lake Forest.

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Step 8

Members of the Mayoral Search Subcommittee shall contact candidate supplied references (1 to 3) and City staff or elected or appointed officials (2 to 3) to gather information as to the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, in particular as to how well the candidate has exercised required skills and experience documented in the Caucus Mayoral Candidate Qualifications from the perspective of the references and City staff and elected and appointed officials. 

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Step 9

The Mayoral Search Subcommittee shall reduce the candidate list to ideally 3-5 based on the results of the candidate interviews.

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Second Interview Round

Timeline: By end of August of the election year

Objective: Advance candidates who have demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and decision making abilities in an executive level function with a confirmed understanding of recent challenges and initiatives impacting the City.

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Step 10

A second interview with each remaining candidate shall be conducted by the Mayoral Search Subcommittee to assess the extent to which the candidate satisfies the Caucus Mayoral Candidate Qualifications.

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Step 11

The Mayoral Search Subcommittee shall reduce the candidate list to 2-3 based on the results of the second round of candidate interviews.

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Final Interview and Candidate Selection

Timeline: Fall of election year

Objective: Nominate one candidate who best meets the Caucus Mayoral Candidate Qualifications from a set of two or three highly qualified candidates.

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Step 12

Each candidate may be requested to prepare a short written statement preceding their final interview.  2-3 final candidates shall be interviewed by the Caucus Committee.

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Step 13

The Caucus Committee deliberates and votes (majority) on a final candidate to be nominated by the Lake Forest Caucus to run as Mayor for the City of Lake Forest.

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