Indiana Democratic Party Chair John Zody is seeking to replace retiring Democratic State Senator Mark Stoops of District 40 in 2020.
Zody’s campaign announcement Thursday says the seventh-generation Hoosier and 20-year Bloomington resident will focus on funding public education, fighting gerrymandering and encouraging statewide sustainability.
I've just announced I'm running for Indiana State Senate, District 40 to represent the great citizens of Monroe County. If you'd like, follow me there @ZodyforIN ! — John Zody (@johnzody) November 14, 2019
Zody says running for office won’t interfere with his role as the Democratic Party Chair.
“I’ve already taken action on some of those things, making sure that I as a candidate am not conflicted in any way with my role as chair and the authority I have there if another candidate entered the race - we’d make sure that we’re impartial,” Zody says.
In November 2018, Zody reassured Democrats that he would remain in his leadership position after the state Democratic Party lost its last remaining statewide elected official with then- U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly’s defeat by Republican Mike Braun.
Zody’s background in public service includes work under Governors Frank O’Bannon and Joe Kernan as well as a position with President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
“Having the perspective of being in a statewide position and doing work in Congress, the Statehouse and in higher education, it’s given me a perspective - I see other areas of the state where we’re struggling, where we’re doing well,” Zody says.
Stoops announced earlier this month that he would retire after serving seven years in the state senate, but did not rule out a future run for public office.
Joe Hren contributed to this story. This story has been updated.
