Thomson statement on hate crime; public safety

Community demands change, leadership

Kerry Thomson, a Democratic candidate for Mayor, released the following statement reacting to last night’s city council meeting and the discussion of the racially motivated attack on an IU student on a city bus that occurred last week.

"While some are hoping to minimize this situation and move on, what we heard last night is a community that is still in shock, in pain, and in desperate need of leadership. We can, and must, improve public safety in our community. Condemnations of racism and thoughts for victims and their families are part of what is necessary, but it cannot stop there.

We need real solutions. We need leaders that will acknowledge our public safety problems, who will listen to the community, and who will work together to develop comprehensive, community-based programs to address them. We cannot settle for a ‘relatively safe city.’ Bloomington needs to be a place that welcomes all—our safety, our prosperity, and our ability to thrive as a community all depend on it.

Like those who spoke last night, I want a community where all not only feel safe, but all are safe, because our systems ensure safety, and our values create connections and respect between people regardless of our differences.

To the victim of this crime, please know that our community stands with you and all AAPI members of our Bloomington family and wish you peace and healing – and that, together, we pledge to address this issue and create a safer, more inclusive city for everyone."

Thomson Reports Raising $93K; Officially Files for Mayor

January 4, 2023

Kerry Thomson kicked off the 2023 mayoral race in earnest this morning becoming the first candidate to file for the May Democratic Primary and announced that her campaign will report raising more than $93,000 in its year-end campaign finance report.

“I’m humbled and energized by the depth and breadth of support our campaign has received from across the community,” said Thomson. “This campaign is about building an even better Bloomington, where all voices are heard, where all people and communities are valued, and where we focus on progress and not politics.”

“Our vision for inclusive government starts at the campaign level where every volunteer and every gift matters. That is the Bloomington we want to create, and our community members are responding,” added Thomson.

Known for her work building better communities, Thomson leads Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement and is the former CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. Her campaign, which will file its financial report next week, drew support from more than 200 individual donors across Bloomington.

“As a first-time candidate, to be able to generate this level of financial support is almost unheard of,” said Megan Ruddie, Kerry for Bloomington campaign manager. “Kerry’s experience working in community, her vast network of friends and supporters, and her unique vision for Bloomington make her an exceptionally strong candidate.”

Thomson has lived in Bloomington for more than 20 years and has also served on several boards, including the IU Credit Union, Indiana Habitat for Humanity, and the Tithe Advisory Board. A graduate of Randolph Macon Woman’s College, Thomson lives in the Elm Heights neighborhood with her husband and five children.