Downtown business owner Jamie Mathy is running for alderman of Bloomington's Ward 1. His campaign is focusing on education, neighborhood unity and economic development.
Mathy made the announcement during a gathering of supporters at Ozark House Restaurant, which included the mayor, at least three aldermen, and at least two McLean County Board members.
Mathy served as a member of the Budget Task Force in 2015. Some say the group's recommendations led to a 1% sales tax increase to fund mental health and infrastructure as well as increased liquor license fees. Mathy said the task force was realistic in addressing what he called "very serious problems."
"We have pension obligations that we have to pay for. We have streets and sewers that we have to pay for," he said. "These aren't things we can continue kicking down the road."
Mathy was appointed to serve as Ward 1 Alderman in 2013 by then-Mayor Steve Stockton, but lost to Kevin Lower as a write-in candidate. He said being on the ballot this time around will be huge.
"We have time to plan, we have time to meet with people," he said. "And it's just so much more time to talk to people to understand what they're concerned about and what their needs are and make sure that we have a plan to address each of them."
Lower, who is the incumbent, has not announced if he will seek a second term for the seat. Some have speculated that Lower will announce a bid for mayor against Mayor Tari Renner.