May 3, 2021 Galesburg Mayor-elect Peter Schwartzman says he intends to appoint Jaclyn Smith Esters as his replacement on the City Council. Schwartzman says he’s recommending Smith-Esters for the last two years of his term as Ward 5 Councilmember in a letter addressed to the City Council included in Monday’s meeting packet. Smith-Esters was the first candidate to announce a run in the Galesburg 2021 Mayoral race but dropped out before Election Day. She was going into Election Day as a write-in candidate, but then dropped out and endorsed Schwartzman. Smith-Esters explained to WGIL at the time, she feared her candidacy would pull votes from Schwartzman, and cause John Pritchard to be re-elected.