Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton says he will not seek a third term as mayor.
In a video posted Thursday afternoon, Hamilton says he’s excited about Bloomington’s future, but it felt right after eight years to turn the page on a new chapter.
“Not to run just because I could run and win another term, not to run just to be mayor. But really thinking about what's the right fit for our family and my future. And I feel good about it, though, it was tempting to run,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton took office in 2016 after defeating Republican candidate John Turnbull and again in 2020 after defeating Amanda Barge in the 2019 primary.
Ask The Mayor: Bloomington's Hamilton on re-election, convention center, Walnut/College Ave. study
Hamilton says he’s proud of increasing the city’s average wage, economic investment, housing, public safety, and digital access.
"I'm so excited about where Bloomington is. We've raised the bar, we're ready to move forward well into the future. And I look forward to watching that after the next 13 months," he said.
Two Democratic candidates have kicked off campaigns to be the next mayor of Bloomington. City councilmember Susan Sandberg and Executive Director of IU Center for Rural Engagement Kerry Thompson.
They will face off in the Indiana primary May 2.
