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Kerry Thomson wins Bloomington’s Democratic primary

By Clayton Baumgarth, Sarah Vaughan and Ethan Sandweiss

Posted May 2, 2023

Kerry Thomson

Thomson was the executive director of the IU Center for Rural Engagement and previously served as the CEO of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity for 20 years. (Courtesy Photo)

This post has been updated.

Kerry Thomson is the winner of Bloomington’s Democratic primary.

Thomson took 3,444 votes, beating out opponents Susan Sandberg (2,644) and Don Griffin (1,924).

Thomson was the executive director of the IU Center for Rural Engagement and previously served as the CEO of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity for 20 years. She had not run for public office or served as an elected official until now.

At her victory speech, Thomson thanked her supporters and signalled her intentions to take Bloomington in a new direction.

"It's people like you who can step aside when things look like they're getting negative, and can continue to believe that that is not where we need to go in Bloomington," she said.

Thomson hearkened back to her arrival in Bloomington 28 years ago.

"When I rode my bicycle through here in 1995, I knew this place was different. And you all are proving that this place is different."

She ran on a platform focused on helping lower-income residents stay housed and creating more affordable housing for newcomers and middle-income residents.

See more election results here

Thomson’s other focuses were on community safety and executive leadership, a people-first leadership style allowing the city to take advantage of opportunities as they become available.

Thomson has said the most important thing she wants Bloomington residents to understand is that she wants to hear from them.

Thomson's opponents both offered their concessions.

Griffin, a lifelong Bloomington resident, ran on a platform prioritizing an inclusive and sustainable city that provides a high quality of life for all residents, according to his campaign website.

He said he may return to his realty business, but he’d also like to help the Bloomington community “create a sense of place.”

“There’s an amazing arts community here in Bloomington, so I think maybe I’ll get with those folks to maybe create more opportunities for a sense of place here in Bloomington," Griffin said. "Maybe help get some cultural events up and going with international folks, black folks, with queer folks, with latino folks -- try to get us to become that community where we’re celebrating all our differences.”

Sandberg, who has served on the Bloomington City Council and platformed on neighborhood preservation and increasing police staff, offered a short concession speech.

"We all had good intentions for the future of Bloomington and now it’s going to be in the hands of other people. So once again, my heartfelt gratitude to all of you and wished we had a better outcome," she said.

No Republican candidate has come forward for the general election in November, so Thomson will face off against independent Joseph Davis.

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