The sounds of Connect Transit buses and workers going to lunch in downtown Bloomington were drowned out by a crowd of people in front of the Route 66 Visitor's Center. More than 50 supporters of Mayor Tari Renner weathered the humidity and wind to hear the announcement that he is running for re-election in 2017.
"I am now announcing my candidacy for re-election to be mayor of your city," he said. "Thank you."
Renner is highlighting his successes in economic development, openness, and transparency and says the people of Bloomington should continue to be involved in city government.
Supporter Susan O'Rourke says Renner listens to people in Bloomington and gets advice from people around the world.
"I love that the city is more open, and that your average citizen can have much more input into what the mayor is thinking and saying and focusing on than previous administrations have been."
Looking into the future, O’Rourke says she thinks the city’s economy will remain strong if Renner is elected to a second term.
“It’s pretty obvious, from the things he said and from what we see going on around us, that he will work to keep attracting business, to keep improving services and to keep making Bloomington a great place to live and to raise children,” she added.
Renner, who is an Illinois Wesleyan professor, is the first candidate to announce for the 2017 mayoral race.
