Kerry Thomson elected Bloomington mayor; gives remarks
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Following Kerry Thomson’s election tonight as Mayor of Bloomington, she delivered the following remarks at the Monroe County Democratic Party’s Election Night Watch Party.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be elected Mayor of Bloomington– a city I fell in love with on a cross country cycling trip. Thank you so much for your support and for caring as much as you do about Bloomington.
Tonight, together, we begin writing a new chapter for this community. Every day each one of us has a choice in life: we can wake up and look at what’s wrong with the world and choose despair, or we can look at our opportunity to make it right and choose a bold vision. I know Bloomington is better than choosing frustration and hopelessness, I know because you told me as much at your front door, in your community centers, and our library.
Bloomington is a city ready to commit to our next chapter. Ready to look to what light we can create tomorrow. We look forward to becoming the Bloomington we have imagined together. We will be the place that welcomes all and ensures their safety. We will be the place with an incredible research university, with renowned restaurants, and with extraordinary musicians. We will be the place with a thriving business community, and with smart, passionate neighbors who work together to solve the challenges we face. We will be the place where housing affordability is not a bullet point or a slogan, but an actual, working set of policies and programs. We will be the place where we all operate at the very top of our human potential—the place that believes, as I do, that homelessness is solvable, and where people do not die alone on our streets. We will be the place where we listen first, and welcome all to the table, with a responsive and open government that’s easy to work with.
Tonight, you’ve elected a bright and energetic new city council—and we will work together to make this the place that you deserve. I am grateful to the incredible team of volunteers who got me here, and my remarkable family who supported me through this process.
I understand the challenges we face. But I am never daunted. I am eager. I am optimistic. And I am ready. Together, we will make this the place that you are proud to call home. And on January 1st, I will be proud to say that I work for you.“
Known for her work building better communities, Kerry Thomson is a former Bloomington Habitat for Humanity CEO and now leads IU’s Center for Rural Engagement. A long-time resident of the community, Thomson has served on the boards of the IU Credit Union, Indiana Habitat for Humanity and the Tithe Advisory Board among others. A graduate of Randolph Macon Woman’s College, Kerry is a long-time Bloomington resident and lives with her husband and children.
Fernandez endorses Thomson for mayor
Bloomington is at a crossroads. How we vote in the May 2nd Democratic Primary for Mayor will determine the direction of our community for decades to come.
One mayoral candidate, in particular, is ready to lead us forward to create a better Bloomington for all. Kerry Thomson is that candidate, and I am proud to endorse her for Mayor.
Her leadership skills, her executive experience, and her ability to bring people together to solve problems and produce real results are just what we need in our next Mayor.
I’ve seen Kerry in action for years, unlocking homeownership opportunities for hundreds of our neighbors through her leadership at Habitat for Humanity and working with communities as they tackle some of their biggest challenges by driving 'bottom up' strategies.
While I respect all the candidates in this race and their service to our community, Kerry brings a fresh perspective and the new energy needed for this job. Kerry’s management approach values inclusion – she knows that the smartest person in the room is the room. Her clear vision for creating a better Bloomington for everyone, together with her skills to develop and execute strategies have earned my strong support.
I urge you to read Kerry’s Blueprint for a Better Bloomington, consider the wide array of community leaders who are supporting her, to talk to friends and neighbors who have worked with Kerry over the years, and to join me in voting for Kerry Thomson for Mayor on May 2nd.
John Fernandez
Mayor of Bloomington, 1995–2003
Kruzan endorses Thomson for mayor
Friends,
Kerry Thomson is the right person at the right time.
As Bloomington’s second-longest serving mayor, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to run city government, and Kerry has it.
Kerry Thomson’s entire professional life has prepared her to lead our city – and lead it well.
She has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience.
She’s managed large teams, complex systems, and multi-million-dollar budgets.
She’s a consensus builder who listens, learns and then leads with compassion.
And most importantly for this year’s election, she has a proven record of turning troubled organizations around and getting them back on track.
Contested primaries are tough. People who share the Democratic label suddenly find themselves in opposition. Friends and allies break into different camps. There will be hurt feelings on all sides when the votes are done being counted. The next mayor will need to unify us. But not just unify us as Democrats, the next mayor is going to have to bring the entire community back together.
Despite having created an Outreach Director position, City Hall has managed to alienate a large portion of Bloomington and beyond. Bridges that once linked city government to county government, the university, state government, labor unions, and, crucially, City Council have been burned.
An outsider’s perspective has never been more needed. Kerry Thomson is uniquely qualified to fix the problem. Turning distressed organizations around is her thing! As its CEO, she took Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County from debt to a $6 million mortgage portfolio that’s now built more than 220 homes for local residents. And she led IU’s Center for Rural Engagement from a start-up to a nationally recognized model.
Kerry will use her leadership skills to get city government back on track so that it’s working with all of us for all of us.
I ask you to join me in supporting Kerry Thomson for Mayor in the May 2nd Democratic Primary. Your vote for Kerry is an investment in a better Bloomington for all.
Mark Kruzan
Mayor, City of Bloomington, 2004-2015
Allison endorses Thomson for mayor
Former Mayor calls Thomson the right choice to lead Bloomington
Calling her the right choice to lead Bloomington forward, today former Mayor Tomilea “Tomi” Allison officially endorsed Kerry Thomson for Mayor.
“I know what it takes to be Mayor. It takes someone who cares about people, who listens, who works to build consensus and who knows how to get results. Throughout her nearly 30 years working in Bloomington, Kerry has repeatedly demonstrated these skills,” said Allison. “Kerry’s collaborative style of leadership, her vision and her energy are just what Bloomington needs to get back on track.”
A trailblazer, Allison was the first woman to be elected Mayor and served for 13 years. Allison is credited for revitalizing downtown, developing more city parks, starting the downtown canopy of lights, and repurposing the Showers Brothers buildings into City Hall.
“I am honored to have Mayor Allison’s support. Her people-first approach is one I hope to emulate as Bloomington’s next Mayor,” added Thomson. “The status quo is not working. Bloomington needs new voices, new ideas and new approaches to city government and, with Tomi’s help, I am confident we can win this race and create a better Bloomington for us all.”