| Elections in Indiana |
|---|
 |
Elections are held in South Bend, Indiana, to elect the city's mayor. Such elections are regularly scheduled to be held every four years, in the year immediately preceding that of United States presidential elections.
South Bend held its first mayoral election in 1865, the year in which the city was incorporated (electing William G. George, its first mayor).[1] This first mayoral election took place in early June 1865, only two weeks after the formal incorporation of the city.[2]
Elections before 1963
1963
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
The 1963 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 5, 1963. It saw the election of Republican nominee Lloyd M. Allen.
Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Bruggner, who had reluctantly assumed the office after Edward F. Voorde's death in an automobile accident, did not seek reelection to the office.[3]
This is the last time that a non-incumbent Republican won a South Bend mayoral election.[4]
Primaries
Democratic primary
Two candidates faced each other in the Democratic primary. Paul Krueper was favored by voters on the East Side and had the support of the Democratic establishment.[3] However, Eugene Pajakowki was favored by voters on the West Side, which had a significant Polish-American vote at the time.[3] The South Bend Tribune's political writer at the time, James Carroll, described the primary the two men waged as being, "one of the meanest in Democratic history".[3] Krueper prevailed in the primary,[3] but the ugliness of the primary had split the party.[4] The party largely split along geographic lines, the city's East Side versus its West Side.[3]
Republican primary
City Judge Lloyd M. Allen won a large victory in the Republican primary, which saw sizable turnout.[4]
General election
While a Democratic city, at the time, South Bend was more competitive in its mayoral elections than it is today.[3] A Republican had last won a mayoral election in 1951, and one had come close in the narrow 1955 election (losing a close race to Edward F. Voorde).[3]
The election took place in the direct aftermath of the announcement that Studebaker, a major South Bend employer, would be closing its operations in the city.[3]
Allen criticized the incumbent Democratic-run city administration for the poor condition of the city's streets, and promised that, if elected, he would institute a massive program to repave the city's roads. Allen also campaigned in areas of West Side that were Democratic strongholds and had typically been neglected by Republican candidates.[3]
Allen won a landslide victory.[3] and picked up 5 of the city's 6 districts.[5] Allen's victory has been attributed to the split in the Democratic party following its fractious primary.[4]
1967
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
The 1967 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 7, 1967. It saw the reelection of incumbent Republican Lloyd M. Allen.
This is the last time that a Republican has won a South Bend mayoral election.[4][6]
Nominations
Republicans re-nominated incumbent mayor Lloyd M. Allen.
Democrats nominated Eugene Pajakowki, who had unsuccessfully sought their nomination four years earlier.[3]
Two independent candidates were also running.[7]
General election
While, during his first term, Allen had received some criticism (including from some prominent city Republicans) for the amount of spending his government had undertaken, despite the city having just lost the major employer Studebaker. Allen defended his spending by declaring that citizens were okay with paying for necessary improvements, so long as they saw actual results.[3]
Allen was endorsed for reelection by The South Bend Reformer newspaper.[7]
Allen won a strong reelection,[3] winning by a 10,500 vote margin.[7][8] Allen received strong support from the city's African American wards.[7] Allen even received a surprising number of votes in the heavily-Democratic 2nd and 6th wards.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lloyd M. Allen (incumbent) | 58% | ||
| Democratic | Eugene Pajakowki | 36% | ||
| Independent | Others | 6% | ||
Allen's victory had an arguable coattail effect, with Republican City Clerk nominee Cecil Blough winning his race.[7]
1971
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
The 1971 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 2, 1971. The election was won by Democratic nominee Jerry Miller.[3]
Incumbent Republican mayor Lloyd M. Allen opted against running for a third term.[3]
This election ushered in an era of continuous Democratic control of the mayor's office in South Bend, which continues to this day.[3][6]
Nominations
Democratic primary
Democrats nominated Jerry Miller,[3][9] a St. Joseph County Commissioner who had served as President of the County Commissioners.[9][10][11]
Republican primary
Republicans nominated Common Council member Janet Allen[3] (of no familial relation to then-incumbent mayor Lloyd M. Allen). Janet Allen was a conservative Republican who had regularly clashed with the more moderate Republican Lloyd M. Allen during his mayoralty, criticizing him on spending and taxes.[3] Janet Allen had been the first woman ever elected to the South Bend Common Council when she was elected in 1963.[12]
The Republican primary had been a divisive one, with a battle being waged between the cities moderate and conservative Republican Party wings.[3]
General election
The Republican Party remained divided after its primary.[3]
Janet Allen would have been the first woman to be elected mayor of South Bend had she won the election. As of 2019, no woman has been elected mayor of South Bend.[13]
Jerry Miller had previously been on a study commission to examine a restructuring of the St. Joseph County and South Bend governments.[9] Carrying some of the ideas he had adopted support for during his role on this study commission, Miller campaigned as a proponent of implementing a cabinet form of governance to South Bend's mayor's office[9] Once elected, Miller successfully would re-organize the mayorship. In what was the largest restructuring of a local government in Indiana since Indianapolis' Unigov, the Indiana State Legislature passed legislation authorizing South Bend to restructure its government as such, and South Bend passed legislation to do so, reorganizing many governmental entities into six departments with heads appointed by the mayor.[9]
Miller defeated allen by roughly 10,500 votes, nearly identical to the margin by which Republican Lloyd M. Allen won in the 1967 election. Over 48,000 people voted.[14]
1975
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 1975 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 4, 1975. The election was won by Democratic nominee Peter Nemeth, who had unseated the incumbent Democratic mayor, Jerry Miller, in the party's primary.
Nominations
Democratic primary
Democratic incumbent Jerry Miller was unseated in the primary,[15][16] being defeated by common council member Peter Nemeth.[16] Nemeth's victory was considered an upset.[16]
In the municipal Democrat primaries, 27,330 votes were cast, which set a record high for a South Bend municipal primary.[17]
Republican primary
John Slafkosky won the Republican nomination.
Also seeking the Republican nomination was George Williams Jr.[18] Williams was the first black man to run for mayor of South Bend.[19][20] Williams was a community organizer.[20]
Independent candidates
Ronald R. Kronewittier ran as an independent candidate.[16]
General election
Due to the strength of the Democratic Party, his upset primary victory, and his popularity as a common council member, Nemeth was favored to win.[16] He ultimately won a landslide victory.[16]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter Nemeth | 23,689 | 68.89 | |
| Republican | John Slafkosky | 9,804 | 28.51 | |
| Independent | Ronald R. Kronewittier | 893 | 2.60 | |
| Turnout | 34,386 | 100 | ||
1979
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
The 1979 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 6, 1979. It saw the election Democratic nominee Roger Parent.
Nominations
Primary elections were held May 8.[21]
Democratic primary
Roger Parent won the Democrat primary.[22]
Parent won roughly 6,500 votes.[22] The runner-up was St. Joseph County engineer William J. Richardson, who lost to Parent by a roughly 800 vote margin.[22] Third-place finisher was George E. Herendeen, who had roughly 1,400 less votes than Parent had received.[22] Fourth place finisher was Mary Chris Adams, who received roughly 1,800 less votes than Parent had received.[21][22]
Parent had been the front-runner since launching his campaign.[22] His strategy placed strong hoes on winning the vote in his own city council district.[22]
Republican primary
H. Chris Overgaard was unopposed in the Republican mayoral primary, receiving roughly only 2,100 votes, which was described by Jack Colwell of the South Bend Tribune as a record-low for the number of votes to be cast in a South Bend mayoral Republican primary in "modern political history".[22] In fact, at only 2,264, the turnout in the city's overall Republican primaries were also described as a record-low for modern-time Republican municipal primaries in the city.[23]
General election
the city saw its lowest turnout for a mayoral election since 1925. 29,196 votes were cast.[24]
Parent won by a roughly 2-1 margin over Republican H. Chris Overgaard.[25]
Immediately after the Democratic primary, all of Parent's three largest opponents gave him their support for the general election.[22]
1983
| |||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 62% | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 1983 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 8, 1983. It saw the reelection of incumbent Democrat Roger Parent.
Nominations
Primary elections were held on May 3.[23]
Democratic primary
Democrats renominated incumbent mayor Roger Parent.
Republican primary
Republicans nominated businessman Howeard Hoodhew. Goodhew defeated school board member Oscar Brookins.[23]
American party nomination
The American Party nominated Kathryn Brookins, wife of failed Republican primary contender Oscar Brookins.[26]
General election
At 62%, turnout, while showing an increase over that of the previous mayoral election, was not considered all that high.[27][26][24]
Many local Republicans saw Goodhew as presenting the party with its best chances of winning the mayoralty since Lloyd M. Allen left office.[27]
In the closing period of the campaign, Howard Goodhew ran harsh attacks on Parent and the city government he had overseen.[27] Internal polling by Parent's campaign late in the race had shown the race between him and Goodhew narrowing, with Goodhew gaining on him. However, in the very last days of the election, Parent's polls again showed him with a more comfortable margin.[27] Some believed that the last-minuted attacks on Parent by Goodhew may have backfired on Goodhew.[27]
Parent's campaign had been satisfied that voter turnout improved over the previous election, as they believed that apathy among voters would hurt his chances of reelection.[26]
While Goodhew denied it, there were allegations that a state board that he was chair of was playing politics to aid his campaign when it delayed a bond issue for the city of South Bend.[28]
Parent carried the vote in five of the city's six Common Council (city council) districts[24] The coinciding election for the Common Council (which also had two at-large seats) saw the Democrats retain the 8-1 majority that they had won four years prior.[26]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roger O. Parent (incumbent) | 20,734 | 61.54 | |
| Republican | Howard R. Goodhew | 11,995 | 35.70 | |
| American | Kathryn Brookins | 962 | 2.86 | |
| Turnout | 33691 | 62 | ||
1987
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
.jpeg.webp)
The 1987 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 3, 1987. Joe Kernan defeated Republican Carl Baxmeyer.[4] This is the closest that a Republican has come to the mayoralty of South Bend since the last Republican victory in 1967.
Background
Incumbent Democratic mayor Roger Parent opted not to seek a third term as mayor.[29][30] Rumors arose that internal polling had shown that, with controversy around the construction of Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium, Parent would not have been able to win a third term.[30] Several allies of Parent on the Common Council with involvement in the stadium construction would ultimately lose their reelection bids in the May primaries.[30]
Primaries
Primary elections were held in May.[30]
Democratic primary
Joe Kernan prevailed over several candidates in the Democratic primary.[30] Kernan had previously served as City Compttroller from 1980 to 1984.[31]
Kernan's opponents were James A. Guy II, R. McAlister Ellis Jr., Richard D. Jasinki, and Lester Johnson.[32] The race, however, was mainly seen as being between Kernan and Jasinki.[33] Jasinki was an incumbent county commissioner.[33] The race between the two was ultimately divisive.[4]
During the race, Kernan distanced himself from incumbent mayor Roger Parent, who he had served under as comptroller during Parent's first term as mayor.[33] When asked about Parent at a forum he declared that if elected, "it's going to be Joe Kernan's administration."[33] He said he would not include Parent in his administration.[33] He declared that the controversial baseball stadium project that was pushed by Parent as problematic, but stated that, now that it was built, the city needed to make the best use of the stadium rather than, "sulk and pout about it for 20 years."[33]
Jasinki promised that if he was elected, he would present, "a complete change," while arguing that Kernan would present, "four more years of the same government."[33]
Jasinki opposed further privatizing city services, while Kernan did not take a firm stance on the issue.[33]
Kernan won the primary with 51% of the vote.[34]
Republican primary
Carl Baxmeyer, a city planner,[35] won the Republican nomination, defeating opponents Mike Waite and William C.A. Rose Jr.[30][32][36][37] Waite was businessman who had never held public office,[37] and had been original opponent of the stadium.[30] Waite had informally withdrawn from the race after his ex-wife was murdered.[37]
General election
Arguably the most recent truly competitive general election in South Bend mayoral history,[4] and arguably the only truly competitive South Bend mayoral general election since 1967 (when a Republican, Lloyd M. Allen, was last elected),[4] the election saw Kernan defeat Baxmeyer by a mere 2,000 vote margin.[4] This has been attributed to the Democratic party having been left fractured after a bitter Democratic mayoral primary.[4]
Baxmeyer made a campaign issue out of city attorney Rich Hill, criticizing the city's decision to hire him, "on a part-time basis at almost twice his former salary".[38] Incumbent mayor Roger Parent disputed Baxmeyer's criticisms, arguing that it made sense to hire Hill due to the fact that he was already caught up on important issues including the city's stadium efforts.[38]
The South Bend Tribune endorsed Kernan, citing his "extensive experience in private business and public service".[39] FOP #36, the city's police union, endorsed Baxmeyer.[40]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Kernan | 17,030 | 53% | |
| Republican | Carl Baxmeyer | 15,104 | 47% | |
| Total votes | 32,134 | 100 | ||
1991
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 1991 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 5, 1991. Incumbent Democratic mayor Joe Kernan was reelected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Sylvia Shelton.[41]
Shelton would have been the first woman to be elected mayor of South Bend had she won the election. As of 2019, no woman has been elected mayor of South Bend.[13]
Turnout was considered to be light, which the South Bend Tribune attributed to cold weather on the day of the election.[42]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Kernan (incumbent) | 16,134 | 76.49 | |
| Republican | Sylvia Shelton | 4,958 | 23.51 | |
| Total votes | 21,092 | 100 | ||
1995
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 1995 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 7, 1995. Incumbent Democratic mayor Joe Kernan was reelected to a third term, defeating Republican challenger Michael C. "Mike" Waite. Kernan won a record share of the vote for a South Bend mayoral election.
In winning this election, Kernan became the first South Bend mayor since 1905 to win a third term.[43][44] It also made Kernan poised to break the record, at the time, for longest-serving mayor of South Bend.[43]
Primaries
Democratic primary
Joe Kernan won renomination.
Republican primary
Waite, a businessman who had previously been an unsuccessful candidate in the 1987 South Bend Republican mayoral primary[36][44][37] and had never before held public office,[37] won a Republican primary that also featured Larry M. Scott and James W. Philson.[45][46] Waite was president of High Tech Alarm Corporation Inc.[37] He had also previously been involved in third party politics in 1994.[44]
General election
Republican Mike Waite encountered several stumbling blocks during his candidacy, including an arrest shortly after the primary election for unpaid bills and a lawsuit for backpay on delinquent child support.[36][37][47] Much of the campaign season would center on these controversies.[47] Waite claimed his arrest was politically motivated and orchestrated by Kernan and the St. Joseph County sheriff, with Kernan denying this accusation.[47]
Ultimately, while Waite remained their nominee, the Republican Party withdrew their backing of his candidacy.[36]
Kernan had attracted respect as mayor for his ability to attract economic development to the community.[31]
Kernan campaigned as an opponent of further privatization in South Bend.[36] Kernan did not oppose all and any privatization, but was, rather, an opponent of what he called the, "wholesale auction of the city's assets".[36] South Bend Republicans had been proponents of further privatization.[36]
Waite criticized Kernan on the issue of crime, accusing him of both ignoring and denying the issue.[36][47] Kernan argued that he had taken measures to address crime, such as increasing the size of the city's police force by 34 officers since 1991.[47][31] Kernan also claimed that the rate of violent crime had decreased 19% since the previous year.[47][31] Kernan, however, conceded that crime was, "the most significant challenge we face in the community".[31] Indicative of the issue of crime, the city had already seen a record murder total in 1995 by the time of the election.[31] Waite's proposals to address crime included spending more funds on the police department, restructuring the police department, and increasing the number of police officers.[37] He argued that this could be accomplished without increasing taxes.[37]
Another issue was a proposed minor league ice hockey arena in South Bend.[36][47] The city had been approached by an interested minor league ice hockey franchise, and Kernan was open to the idea, and was working to create a committee to weigh the cost and benefits of such a venture.[47][31] Waite opposed the creation of a South Bend hockey franchise, arguing that stadium financing would take away funding better spent on other needs.[37][47] Waite also criticized the scheme, arguing that it was problematic that such a new arena would create competition with the region's existing venues such as the Edmund P. Joyce Center.[37] Waite also argued, "If people want to watch hockey they can go see the Notre Dame hockey team."[37]
Another issue debated was the financing for the College Football Hall of Fame, with Waite criticizing the lack of transparency behind its financing and contracts.[47] He characterized it to be a tax burden on the city.[48] At the time, attracting the College Football Hall of Fame to South Bend had been considered one of Kernan's successes as mayor.[31]
Another issue debated was the Blackthorn development, which would see a privately managed golf course surrounded by office developments.[31] Waite opposed this project, while Kernan supported it, arguing that it had added 3,000 jobs and $25 million in investment to the city.[31] Kernan declared, "When Waite says he opposes Blackthorn, he is saying he opposes jobs in the community".[31]
Waite criticized Kernan for being allegedly indifferent towards the proposed establishment of an adult bookstore on South Main Street saying, "Mayor Joe Kernan would rather subsidize porno book than school books."[36]
Kernan supported a measure to implement an option tax, arguing that it would provide property tax relief and enable capital improvements.[47][31] Waite stood in opposition to any new taxes.[47]
Waite argued that the city needed more higher paying jobs, and that it was an issue that South Bend had more service sector employees than manufacturing sector, a reality which Waite accredited to planning choices the South Bend city government had made.[37]
Waite lodged allegations of wrongful actions by Kernan.[43]
A debate was held between Kernan and Waite shortly before of the election.[44]
Speculation had arisen that Kernan would be a prospective nominee for lieutenant governor in the 1996 Indiana gubernatorial election.[31] Kernan denied having any such aspirations at the time,[31] however, he would ultimately be the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee the following year and was elected as such.
Result
At the time, the voter turnout was considered to be relatively low, with the turnout equating to roughly 20% of the city's overall populace.[43]
Kernan's more than 82% of the vote set a record for South Bend mayoral elections.[49]
Kernan became the first South Bend mayor since 1905 to be elected to a third term.[43]
The election made Kernan poised to become the city's longest-serving mayor at the time.[43]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Kernan (incumbent) | 14,309 | 82.17 | |
| Republican | Mike Waite | 3,106 | 17.84 | |
| Total votes | 17,415 | 100 | ||
1999
| |||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 31% | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
.jpg.webp)
The 1999 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 2, 1999. Incumbent Democratic mayor Steve Luecke, who had become mayor after his predecessor Joe Kernan became Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, was reelected to a first full-term (and second overall term).
Luecke faced Republican challenger Steven Bradley.[52]
Nominations
Democratic primary
During the Democratic primary election, Luecke was challenged by Portage Township Assessor John Voorde as well as Kevin C. Horton and Zbigniew "Ziggy" Borowski.[51]
Voorde arose as the most significant challenger to Luecke.[51] Voorde was the son of past mayor Edward F. Voorde,[53][54] who had served from 1956 until his death in office in 1960.[53]
By April, polls reportedly showed Luecke with a double-digit lead over Voorde.[51]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen J. Luecke (incumbent) | 8,265 | 61.49 | |
| Democratic | John Voorde | 4,214 | 31.35 | |
| Democratic | Kevin C. Horton | 855 | 6.36 | |
| Democratic | Zbigniew "Ziggy" Borowski | 108 | 0.80 | |
| Total votes | 13,442 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Steve Bradley defeated Melvin Townsend in the Republican primary.[51]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steven Clark Bradley | 1,195 | 81.18 | |
| Republican | Marvin Townsend | 277 | 18.82 | |
| Total votes | 1,472 | 100 | ||
General election
During the election campaign, Bradley criticized Luecke's record on public safety.[52] Bradley used FBI statistics to claim that New York City was safer than South Bend in regards to violent crime.[52] However, Luecke accused Bradley of distorting statistics, accusing Bradley of being "incorrigible" and using a Richard Nixon-style campaign tactic of distributing falsehoods.[52]
Bradley criticized Luecke for taking what he argued was too long to appoint a new police chief after South Bend's previous police chief resigned after being charged with a DUI, stating, It's time for the mayor to act like a mayor and show some leadership," and declaring that the South Bend Police Department had been left "rudderless".[57]
Bradley proposed a business incentive development plan.[57]
Bradley placed emphasis on the city's loss of 1,000 jobs at AMGeneral and South Bend Stamping.[57]
Bradley attacked Luecke for having been a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.[58]
Bradley ran a billboard which read "My girlfriend said it's either her or south bend. My girlfriend is gone. For me it's South Bend".[58] This billboard was speculated to be one of the reasons Bradley would be shown to poll poorly among women voters.[58]
Ahead of the election, polls showed Luecke to be in the lead.[52] A poll conducted October 13–15 by Howey Political Report found Luecke leading 51 to 32 (with 17% of respondents being "undecided") with a +/-5.2 margin.[51][58] A similarly timed South Bend Tribune poll found Luecke to have a 14-point lead.[58] Additionally, South Bend was considered to be a strongly Democratic city.[52] A Republican had not been elected mayor of the city since Loyd Allen his second term in 1967.[59][60]
Turnout in the election was 31%.[61]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen J. Luecke (incumbent) | 13,678 | 68.39 | |
| Republican | Steven Bradley | 6,321 | 31.61 | |
| Total votes | 19,999 | 100 | ||
2003
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 2003 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 4, 2003. Incumbent Democratic mayor Steve Luecke was reelected to a second full-term (and third overall term).
Nominations
Democratic primary
Incumbent mayor Steve Luecke was unchallenged in the Democratic Party's primary election.[62] Originally attempting to challenge Leucke for the nomination was 1995 Republican mayoral nominee (and failed 1987 South Bend Republican mayoral primary candidate) Michael C. "Mike" Waite.[50]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen J. Luecke (incumbent) | 7,480 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 7,480 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
After a long search to try and find a candidate, hours before the deadline for a candidate to register, St. Joseph County Republican chairman Matt Lentsch announced Thomas Schmidt as a candidate/presumptive nominee.[50] Thomas R. Schmidt was unchallenged in the Republican primary.[62]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Thomas R. Schmidt | 1,497 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 1,497 | 100 | ||
General election
Luecke was heavily favored to win the election.[64]
2003 wound up being a good year for Democrats in Indiana's mayoral elections, with the party winning control of the mayoralties of all of the state's top seven most populous cities for the first time since 1959.[65] The Democratic Party also won control of the mayoralties in twenty of the state's thirty cities with populations above 25,000.[65] Additionally, in 2003, Democrats won more than 56% of partisan mayoral races in Indiana.[66]
During the general election, St. Joseph County, where South Bend is located, saw voter turnout of 15% in its various elections.[67]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen J. Luecke (incumbent) | 10,598 | 71.68 | |
| Republican | Thomas R. Schmidt | 4,188 | 28.32 | |
| Total votes | 14,786 | 100 | ||
2007
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 2007 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 6, 2007. Incumbent Democratic mayor Steve Luecke was reelected to a third full-term (and fourth overall term).
Nominations
During the primary elections, St. Joseph County, where South Bend is located, saw voter turnout of 10% in its various primary elections.[68]
Democratic primary
Incumbent mayor Steve Luecke defeated challenger William F. "Bill" Davis in the Democratic primary.[69][70] Davis was widely-unknown.[71] Davis' primary past political endeavor was an unsuccessful 1994 campaign for a seat on the South Bend School Board.[70] Davis stated that his primary concerns were the corrosion of the city's neighborhoods and the decline of its tax base.[70]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen J. Luecke (incumbent) | 4,781 | 79.12 | |
| Democratic | William F. Davis | 1,262 | 20.88 | |
| Total votes | 6,043 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
For the first time since 1999, the Republican primary for mayor was a contested one.[72]
The primary was won by Juan A. Manigualt,[69] the President and CEO of Workforce Development.[73] He defeated Terry S. Miller,[69] who was a business owner that had served on the South Bend Common Council from 1972 until 1979.[73] Miller had also been a member of the Century Center Board of Managers, serving as its president from 1981 until 1982.[73] Miller had more recently served as a lobbyist and public policy director for the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce.[74][75]
In his primary race Manigault raised $30,000 in funds.[71]
Manigualt was endorsed in the primary by Fraternal Order of Police Post 36.[76]
The primary race was projected as a "tossup".[76]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Juan A. Manigault | 1,690 | 66.77 | |
| Republican | Terry S. Miller | 841 | 33.23 | |
| Total votes | 2,531 | 100 | ||
General election
South Bend was a heavily Democratic city. No Republican had been elected mayor of South Bend since Lloyd Allen was reelected in 1967.[4]
The South Bend Tribune endorsed incumbent mayor Luecke.[77] Manigault boasted several endorsements,[78] among them was the endorsement of Fraternal Order of Police Post 36,[79][80][81] American Family Association Indiana,[82] Indiana Family Action,[82] and Citizens for Community Values Indiana.[83]
Manigault resigned from his position as head of Workforce Development to focus on his candidacy.[84]
There was some hope among Republicans that Manigault, a Hispanic man, may be able to attract Hispanic voters to his candidacy.[71] Being Hispanic, if Manigault was elected mayor, he would have been the first ethnic minority to be elected to a full-time executive office in St. Joseph County. No ethnic minority would be elected to a full-time executive office in St. Joseph County until the 2015 South Bend City Clerk election was won by Kareemah Fowler.[85]
Manigault made the issue of economic development central to his candidacy.[74] In his vision for development in South Bend, Manigault stated that he wanted to see, "strong emphasis on private investment."[86] Manigault took issue with Luecke's interim economic development director Jeff Ginbey, arguing that his continuing role as president of the South Bend Heritage Foundation presented conflict of interest.[74] Mangault also criticized the size of the city's economic planning and development department, proclaiming it to be much larger than the comparably sized city of Fort Wayne, yet arguably not significantly more successful than Fort Wayne's department.[71]
Luecke criticized Manigault for record keeping issues from his tenure as the head of Workforce Development.[84][87] The state had previously audited the firm and found missing funds.[71]
Luecke claimed that crime had decreased 24 percent during his tenure as mayor.[87] Manigualt criticized Luecke on the issue of crime, arguing that it was unacceptable that the city remained above the national average for crime.[87]
Manigault argued that South Bend had lost jobs and companies to nearby Mishawaka, citing WSBT-TV, Schurz Communications (the parent company of the South Bend Tribune), St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, and Northwest Mutual Life as examples.[71] Luecke countered this, saying, "South Bend and Mishawaka are all part of a regional economy. Yeah, a couple of companies have moved out, but many more have moved in."[71] Luecke cited the recent relocation of Odyssean Technology from Mishawaka to South Bend as an example of companies moving to the city.[71]
Luecke cited $1.3 billion in investments made in the city during his tenure.[71] He also argued that downtown South Bend was experiencing growth.[71]
Luecke had over the years envisioned South Bend as a regional center for arts and culture, taking actions which had generated a growth in the offerings of entertainment and dining in the city's downtown.[88] Two studies that were recent at the time of the election had demonstrated that these efforts by Luecke were allowing the city to enjoy millions in economic spending.[88] For instance, a study by Saint Mary's College showed that the city-owned Morris Performing Arts Center would generate a $5.9 annual indirect economic impact, excluding its own ticket sales.[88]
Luecke envisioned a need for South Bend to capitalize on what he argued were its greatest strengths, its location and its proximity to Chicago.[71] He argued at future in "advanced logistics" declaring that, "We're in a great location for warehousing and distribution."[71]
A debate was held at Indiana University South Bend.[89]
A late-September poll by Research 2000 showed Luecke polling at 42% favorable and 35% unfavorable among residents, with 23% undecided in their opinions on him.[88] For Manigault these numbers were 36% favorable, 21% unfavorable, and 43% undecided.[88]
In October, a Republican mailer generated controversy during the election.[90][91][92] The mailer featured a card with an image tombstone surrounded by a desolate landscape, with an epitaph reading, "RIP. Here lies South Bend, a once vibrant city now abandoned by business, overrun by violent crime and driving people from their family homes because of high property taxes."[91] On the reverse, the card accused Luecke of having "neglected our city and allowed it to die".[91] Luecke stated that he had heard from many residents upset with these mailers.[91] Manigault, while claiming he had nothing to do with sending these mailers, defended them, declaring that they were not demonstrative of 'negative campaigning' because, "This is the truth. This is where the city is headed. This is what the city has become."[91]
By October 12 Luecke had raised $253,939 and Manigault had raised $152,913 in funds.[93]
Manigault's campaign had presented enough of a challenge to Luecke that the state Democratic party allotted additional funds to Luecke's campaign in the autumn.[94]
Luecke was initially seen as having very strong odds of reelection.[95] However, by August, some experts considered the race as a potential "tossup".[84] Ultimately, however, the race was seen as being in Luecke's favor.[4][71][84][88][91][93][94][96]
Polls
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Steve Luecke |
Juan Manigault |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research 2000[88] | September 26–28 | 400 | ± 5% | 44% | 32% | 1% | 23% |
| Research 2000[96] | October 25–26 | 400 | ± 5% | 48% | 38% | 2% | 12% |
Results
Luecke won far broader margin-of-victory than many had anticipated he would.[92]
In fifteen other Indiana cities, incumbent mayors had not been so lucky and had lost their general elections, including the upset loss of Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson to Republican challenger Greg Ballard as well as the incumbents of Terre Haute, Anderson, La Porte, Delphi, West Lafayette, Tell City, Franklin, Madison, Charlestown, Plymouth, Vincennes, Washington, Huntingburg, and Frankfort.[97]
After his predecessor Joe E. Kernan, this election made Luecke only the second South Bend mayor in the previous hundred years to have been elected to a third full term.[98]
During the general election, St. Joseph County, where South Bend is located, saw voter turnout of 15% in its various elections.[99]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen J. Luecke (incumbent) | 12,355 | 62.14 | |
| Republican | Juan A. Manigault | 7,471 | 37.57 | |
| Green | Thomas Eugene Brown (write-in) | 58 | 0.29 | |
| Total votes | 19,884 | 100 | ||
2011
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 20.29% | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
.JPG.webp)
The 2011 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 8, 2011.[100][101]
After serving for fourteen years, incumbent Democratic mayor Steve Luecke made the surprise announcement that he would not seek reelection. Luecke's decision not to run for reelection made the 2011 election the first open election for mayor of South Bend in 24 years.[102][103]
The election was won by Democratic nominee Pete Buttigieg, who, at 29 years of age, became the youngest mayor, at the time, of a United States city with a population greater than 100,000.[101][104][105]
Nominations
Democratic primary
Democratic primary election candidates included failed 2010 Indiana State treasurer candidate Pete Buttigieg, state representative Ryan Dvorak, high school teacher and St. Joseph Councilman Michael Hamann, reverend and former Clinton administration staffer Barrett Berry, and attorney Felipe Merino.[106][107][108][109][110]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Pete Buttigieg | 7,663 | 54.90 | |
| Democratic | Michael J. Hamann | 2,798 | 20.05 | |
| Democratic | Ryan Dvorak | 2,041 | 14.62 | |
| Democratic | Barrett Berry | 1,424 | 10.20 | |
| Democratic | Felipe N. Merino | 32 | 0.23 | |
| Total votes | 13,958 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
By April, Norris W. Curry, also known as Wayne Curry,[112] had already established himself as the broad frontrunner in the Republican primary.[113][114] Curry, a carpenter and construction contractor,[115] had won the support of the local Republican establishment ahead of the primary.[116] Curry also was considered the best-known individual among those contending for the Republican nomination, and was also the most visible campaigner.[117] Curry had previously run unsuccessfully for an at-large city council seat in 2007, as well as a county council seat in 2008.[117] Curry had some experience in government and community projects, including having served as chairman for the Economic Development Panel of South Bend's City Plan process from 2003 through 2006.[117][115] He had also served as treasurer for both the Community Oriented Policing Leadership Council and the North East Neighborhood Council.[117]
Also running in the Republican primary was William F. "Bill" Davis, a self-proclaimed "independent" who had challenged mayor Luecke for the Democratic nomination in the previous election.[117][110] He had also run for other offices in the past, with his most recent campaign having been a 2008 St. Joseph County Commissioner's election in which he had received 40% of the vote.[117] Davis was described by local reporter Ralph Heibutzki as the "least conventional" candidate in either party's primary.[117] He received media attention for his troublesome history, which included periods in which he had stayed in prisons and in mental hospitals.[117] Davis argued that his history was less relevant than the platform on which he was running.[117]
Additionally running was Wilson R. Taylor II, also known as Will Taylor.[117][110] Taylor's career was as a real estate investor who flipped properties.[117]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Norris W. Curry Jr. | 655 | 65.83 | |
| Republican | William F. Davis | 248 | 24.93 | |
| Republican | Wilson R. Taylor II | 92 | 9.25 | |
| Total votes | 995 | 100 | ||
Libertarian nomination
The Libertarian Party nominated Patrick M. Farrell.
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Pete Buttigieg | 10,991 | 73.85 | |
| Republican | Norris W. Curry Jr. | 2,884 | 19.38 | |
| Libertarian | Patrick M. Farrell | 1,008 | 6.77 | |
| Total votes | 14,883 | 100 | ||
2015
| |||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 14.1% | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
.svg.png.webp) Results by city district | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 2015 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 3, 2015. The election was won by incumbent Democrat Pete Buttigieg, who was reelected with more than 80 percent of the votes, defeating Republican Kelly Jones.[118]
Primaries
Democratic primary
Incumbent mayor Pete Buttigieg was challenged by outgoing 2nd district South Bend Common Council member Henry Davis.[119]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Pete Buttigieg (incumbent) | 8,369 | 77.68 | |
| Democratic | Henry L. Davis Jr. | 2,405 | 22.32 | |
| Total votes | 10,774 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Kelly Jones was unopposed in the Republican primary.[122][123]
Jones was a jewelry maker who had previously run unsuccessfully for a school board seat.[119][124][125] She had first considered running for mayor as a Democrat before running as a Republican.[124] Jones was politically little-known when she launched her candidacy,[126] and would subsequently fail to gain much notability during her candidacy.[125]
Republicans had unsuccessfully sought to recruit a more serious challenger to Buttigieg.[59]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kelly S. Jones | 650 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 650 | 100 | ||
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Pete Buttigieg (incumbent) | 8,515 | 80.41 | |
| Republican | Kelly S. Jones | 2,074 | 19.59 | |
| Total votes | 10,589 | 100 | ||
2019
 | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 15% | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
 Results by city district | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 2019 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 5, 2019.
On December 17, 2018, incumbent two-term Democratic mayor Pete Buttigieg announced that he would not seek reelection to a third term.[127] Speculation arose that Buttigieg was considering a run for President of the United States,[128][129][130][131][132] and Buttigieg would later announce his 2020 presidential campaign. The general election race to succeed Buttigieg as mayor was between Democratic nominee James Mueller and Republican nominee Sean M. Haas.[133] Mueller won the election by nearly 4,000 votes.
Primaries
The primary elections were held May 7.[134]
Democratic primary
In February, Buttigieg endorsed candidate James Mueller as his preferred successor.[135][136] Mueller largely ran a campaign promising to continue the progress made under Buttigieg's mayoralty.[137] Buttigieg appeared in campaign ads for Mueller and even donated to Mueller's campaign.[138] Mueller, a first-time candidate for public office, ultimately won a solid victory in a crowded primary field.[135] Prior to launching his campaign Mueller lacked name recognition.[139] The Democratic primary was competitive.[140]
Candidates
- Lynn Coleman, current community liaison at Memorial Hospital, former South Bend police officer, former special assistant to mayor Steve Luecke, and Democratic nominee for Indiana's 2nd congressional district in 2016[141]
- Jason Critchlow, senior project manager for a clinical research company and the former chairman of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party[142]
- Oliver Davis, 6th district South Bend City Councilor and vice-president of Common Council, former President of the Common Council[137]
- James Mueller, former chief of staff to mayor Pete Buttigieg and former executive director of community investment for South Bend[137]
- Will Smith, entrepreneur[143]
- Regina Williams-Preston, 2nd District City Councilor and teacher[144]
- Richard O. Wright, Downtown South Bend Ambassador[145]
- Withdrawn
- Declined to run
- Pete Buttigieg, incumbent Mayor of South Bend, Democratic candidate for President of the United States[129]
- Ryan Dvorak, state representative and 2011 mayoral candidate[148]
- Michael Hamann, St. Joseph County Auditor, former St. Joseph County Council member, and 2011 mayoral candidate[108]
- David L. Niezgodski, state senator and former state representative[149]
- Aaron Perri, South Bend Director of Venues, Parks and Arts and former executive director of Downtown South Bend[150]
- Tim Scott, 1st District South Bend City Councilor and Common Council President[151]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Mueller | 4,447 | 37.37 | |
| Democratic | Jason Critchlow | 3,081 | 25.89 | |
| Democratic | Lynn Coleman | 2,701 | 22.70 | |
| Democratic | Regina Williams-Preston | 876 | 7.36 | |
| Democratic | Oliver Davis | 723 | 6.08 | |
| Democratic | Salvador Rodriguez | 23 | 0.19 | |
| Democratic | Will Smith | 18 | 0.15 | |
| Democratic | Shane Inez | 16 | 0.13 | |
| Democratic | Richard Wright | 15 | 0.13 | |
| Total votes | 11,900 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Sean M. Haas ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.[134]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sean M. Haas | 908 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 908 | 100 | ||
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Mueller | 9,437 | 63.41 | |
| Republican | Sean M. Haas | 5,445 | 36.58 | |
| Total votes | 14,882 | 100 | ||
2023
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The 2023 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023. It saw the reelection of Democrat James Mueller.
Primary elections were held on May 2, 2023.[156]
On November 7, 2023, Muller was reelected mayor with over 70 percent of the vote.[157]
Democratic primary
- Declared candidates
- Henry Davis Jr., South Bend City Councilor (2007–2015; 2019–present), candidate for mayor in 2015[158]
- James Mueller, incumbent mayor since 2019[159]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Mueller (incumbent) | 4,880 | 67.50 | |
| Democratic | Henry Davis Jr. | 2,350 | 32.50 | |
| Total votes | 7,230 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
- Declared candidates
- Desmont Upchurch[161]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Desmont Upchurch | 789 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 789 | 100 | ||
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Mueller | 7,877 | 72.83 | |
| Republican | Desmont Upchurch | 2,938 | 27.17 | |
| Total votes | 10,815 | 100 | ||
References
- ↑ Fosmoe, Margaret (May 17, 2015). "South Bend 150 history timeline". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ↑ "This week in Hoosier History, June 4 – 10 – Hamilton County Reporter". readthereporter.com. Hamilton County Reporter. June 4, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Colwell, Jack (July 12, 2015). "Colwell: Lloyd Allen was South Bend's monument in asphalt". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (7). September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Carroll, James (November 6, 1963). "Republican Gain Council Control, 7-1". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Parrott, Jeff (November 5, 2019). "James Mueller elected South Bend's next mayor, succeeding friend and ex-boss Pete Buttigieg". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "HATCHER, ALLEN WIN IN GARY, SB" (PDF). The Observer. November 9, 1967. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ↑ "Allen Coasts in By 10,500". The South Bend Tribune. November 8, 1967. Retrieved April 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Owen, James; York, Wilbern. Governing Metropolitan Indianapolis: The Politics of Unigov. University of California Press. pp. 189–191.
- ↑ "Richard Nixon Presidential Library Contested Materials Collection Folder List" (PDF). Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ↑ "Richard Nixon Presidential Library Contested Materials Collection Folder List" (PDF). Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ↑ Heidorn, Nicolas (March 18, 2018). "America's First Councilwomen (Sacramento was First)". Sacramentality. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- 1 2 "A Look Back: A mayoral mix". South Bend Tribune. June 22, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ↑ Colwell, Jack (November 3, 1971). "GOP Incumbents Tumble in Democratic Landslide". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Delaney, Paul (May 7, 1975). "Mayor Hatcher Renominated in Gary". New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Reimer, Don; Byrne, Kathy (November 5, 1975). "Nemeth and Prickett win in local mayoral races" (PDF). The Observer. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ↑ "Decline of 14,000 recorded since '75 Voter total plunges again". South Bend Tribune. April 20, 1979. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "George Williams Jr., South Bend mayoral candidate, 1975". digital.library.in.gov. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ↑ "George Williams Jr., reaction to mayoral candidacy, 1975 – 1". digital.library.in.gov. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- 1 2 Parrott, Jeff (April 13, 2019). "Regina Williams-Preston wants equity, development for neighborhoods as South Bend mayor". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- 1 2 Sulok, Nancy (May 9, 1979). "Late mayor's son draws most of any with opposition/ Voorde name still a vote-getter". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Colwell, Jack (May 9, 1979). "Pole position pays for Parent". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 Colwell, Jack (May 3, 1983). "Election day waters calm early". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 Colwell, Jack (November 10, 1983). "Election draws 62% of voters". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Kovas, Marchmonth (November 7, 1979). "Maine, Thailand... His credentials out of ordinary". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 Colwell, Jack (November 9, 1983). "Victorious Parent tops '79 record". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Colwell, Jack (November 9, 1983). "Parent win tops '79 show". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Colw, Jack (October 7, 1983). "Goodhew denies 'delay tactics'". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Chval, Craig (September 24, 2010). "MONOGRAM CLUB CORNER – JOE KERNAN". Notre Dame University. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Baines, Don (July 26, 1987). "CLASS A CONTROVERSY". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Hayward, Ethan (October 6, 1995). "Kernan seeks third term" (PDF). The Observer. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 "South Bend Candidates". The South Bend Tribune. May 3, 1987 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Teamsters group criticizes Kernan". The South Bend Tribune. April 5, 1987 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Joseph Kernan Honored Warrior/Civic Leader" (PDF). Indiana Business Journal. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- 1 2 Bednarski, Chtis; Coccia, Regis (November 4, 1987). "ND grad is elected mayor of South Bend" (PDF). The Observer.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Heisler, Jamie (November 7, 1995). "Candidates make last day push" (PDF). The Observer. S2CID 27410599.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Heisler, Jamie (October 6, 1995). "Incumbent runs criticizes incumbent" (PDF). The Observer. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 Larsen, Jonathan (September 16, 2019). "Documents: Police Used Buttigieg Donors to Get Him to Fire Black Chief". The Young Turks. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ "Choosing a Mayor". The South Bend Tribune. November 1, 1987. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "advertisement". The South Bend Tribune. October 31, 1987 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Indiana Elections 1991. Voters boot mayors in Muncie". Northwest Indiana Times. November 6, 1991. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- 1 2 Kinney, David (November 6, 1991). "Kernan re-elected mayor of South Bend". The Observer. No. 47. S2CID 6077009.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Heisler, Jamie (November 8, 1995). "Kernan victorious in mayoral election" (PDF). The Observer. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 Colwell, Jack (November 5, 1995). "Waite shows his mettle in mayor debate". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mayors" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. Vol. 1, no. 24. February 16, 1999. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ↑ "HORSE RACE" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. Vol. 1, no. 24. February 24, 1999. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hayward, Ethan; Heisler, Jamie (October 6, 1995). "Mayoral candidates head down homestretch" (PDF). The Observer. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ "Joe Kernan ready to match record in South Bend to Goldsmith's Indy" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. 2 (34). June 5, 1996. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ↑ "Joseph Kernan Honored Warrior/Civic Leader" (PDF). Indiana Business Journal. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 "Indiana 2003 Racing Form Indiana 2003 Mayoral Races" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. 9 (26). February 27, 2003. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Indiana Racing Form INDIANA MAYORAL RACES 1999" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. 5 (30). April 15, 1999. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Mike (October 31, 1999). "Mayoral races dominate many Hoosier decisions". Anderson Herald Bulletin. Associated Press. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- 1 2 "Behind the Name: A local political legacy". South Bend Tribune. November 9, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ↑ Bell, Kyle W. (December 16, 2014). "Voorde Announces Bid for South Bend Common Council, Endorses Fowler for City Clerk". South Bend Voice. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ↑ "Democratic Primary Mayoral Elections South Bend". www.in.gov. Indiana Secretary of State. July 21, 1999. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
- ↑ "Republican Primary Mayoral Elections South Bend". www.in.gov. Indiana Secretary of State. July 21, 1999. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
- 1 2 3 "Indiana Racing Form INDIANA MAYORAL RACES 1999" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. 5 (41). July 22, 1999. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Leucke's lead is big" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. 6 (10). October 21, 1999. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- 1 2 Cowell, Jack (December 4, 2014). "Jack Colwell: Sizing up South Bend, Mishawaka mayoral races". Howey Politics. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- ↑ Jack, Colwell (September 1, 2011). "2 cities, 2 mayor trends" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 17 (4). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ↑ "INDIANA MAYORAL ELECTIONS 1999 SOUTH BEND". www.in.gov. Indiana Secretary of State. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
- 1 2 "Gary, E. Chicago mayors survive primary". The Laporte County Herald Argus. Associated Press. May 7, 2003. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "Historical Election Results". Indiana.gov Voter Portal. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ↑ "Area mayoral races mirror each other again". KPC Media Group. KPC News. Associated Press. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- 1 2 Howey, Brian A. (November 5, 2003). "Democrats control top 7 Hoosier cities" (PDF). The Howey Political Report. 10 (14). Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ↑ Marschall, Melissa; Lappie, John (May 2016). "Mayoral Elections in Indiana 2003–2015" (PDF). Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ↑ "General Election Turnout and Registration" (PDF). www.in.gov. Indiana Secretary of State.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff (May 6, 2015). "Pete Buttigieg rolls to victory in South Bend mayoral primary". South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Historical Election Results". Indiana.gov Voter Portal. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "Bill Davis Announces Mayoral Plans". www.wndu.com. WNDU-TV. December 20, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Howey, Brian A. (June 14, 2007). "Juan Manigault: GOP's best hope?" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 13 (40). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Peterson, Mark. "Two's A Crowd In Mayor's Race". www.wndu.com. WNDU-TV. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- 1 2 3 "4 vying to be South Bend mayor". South Bend Tribune. May 1, 2007. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "Manigault Files for South Bend Mayoral Bid". WNDU-TV. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ "Terry Miller Will Announce His Mayoral Bid for South Bend". www.wndu.com. WNDU-TV. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- 1 2 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (3). August 23, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ "South Bend Tribune". South Bend Tribune. November 4, 2007.
- ↑ "South Bend Tribune". South Bend Tribune. July 21, 2007.
- ↑ "Closing Statement of Juan A. Manigault". Vote Manigualt. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008.
- ↑ Peterson, Mark (August 14, 2007). "South Bend FOP endorses Manigault". WNDU-TV. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ↑ "Chief, FOP rift deepens". Fraternal Order of Police. November 13, 2007. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- 1 2 Wensits, James (November 4, 2007). "South Bend Tribune". South Bend Tribune.
- ↑ "CCV IPAC ENDORSEMENTS". Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (6). September 20, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Swiercz, Greg (July 16, 2019). "South Bend City Clerk Kareemah Fowler to become chief financial officer for South Bend schools". South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ Riely, Kaitlynn (October 12, 2007). "City elections involve student issues". The Observer. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- 1 2 3 Logan, Erin (October 30, 2007). "Questions for South Bend mayoral candidates". WNDU-TV. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (8). October 4, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Logan, Erin (October 23, 2007). "South Bend mayoral candidates debate". WNDU-TV. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ "Republican mailing stirs controversy in South Bend". Indianapolis Business Journal. October 17, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (10). October 18, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 "Luecke rolls in South Bend" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (14). November 7, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (11). October 25, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- 1 2 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (5). September 13, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Howey, Brian (May 14, 2007). "Brian Howey: Revenge of the Ex-Mayors! What the city elections tell us". Terre Haute Tribune-Star.
- 1 2 "2007 Mayoral" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (13). November 1, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Howey, Brian A. (November 7, 2007). "Upset City: Ballard's shock wave" (PDF). Howey Political Report. 14 (14). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ Heisler, Jamie (November 8, 1995). "Kernan victorious in mayoral election" (PDF). The Observer. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ↑ "General Election Turnout and Registration" (PDF). www.in.gov. Indiana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2011.
- ↑ Adams, Samuel (November 3, 2011). "2011 South Bend, Indiana Election". Benton Spirit News. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- 1 2 Shoemaker, Thomas (January 13, 2015). "MAYORS ON THE RISE: PETE BUTTIGIEG". Nation Swell. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ↑ Howey, Brian A. (November 10, 2011). "Big GOP gains shift to city halls" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 17 (13). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ↑ Galer, Sarah (May 4, 2011). "Ex-Indiana treasurer candidate wins South Bend mayoral primary". WTHR. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ↑ Wren, Adam (December 16, 2018). "Pete Buttigieg Has His Eye On The Prize". Indianapolis Magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ Abigail, Hess (March 22, 2019). "Meet 37-year-old Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, who thinks he can become the youngest US president ever". CNBC. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ↑ Howey, Brian A. (February 24, 2011). "First look at Indiana mayoral races" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 16 (25). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff. "Buttigieg Takes Early Lead Filling Campaign Coffers". South Bend Tribune.
- 1 2 Doherty, Tucker (July 8, 2019). "Pete Buttigieg lost black support between 2 mayoral runs, data shows". Politico. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ↑ "South Bend mayor candidate quits" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 16 (26). March 3, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- 1 2 3 Lewis, Brandon (February 18, 2011). "Four more declare candidacy for South Bend mayoral race". WNDU-TV. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "Historical Election Results". Indiana.gov Voter Portal. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ↑ Doyle, Megan (November 7, 2011). "Candidates compete in city's mayoral race". The Observer. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ↑ Jack, Colwell (April 7, 2011). "Poll shows Dvorak, Buttigieg in dead heat" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 16 (30). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ↑ Colwell, Jack (April 5, 2011). "Jack Colwell: Poll shows Dvorak, Buttigieg dogfight". howeypolitics.com. Howey Politics. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- 1 2 Parrott, Jeff (April 17, 2011). "Curry undaunted in race". The South Bend Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Colwell, Jack (May 5, 2011). "Buttigieg wins an impressive primary" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 16 (34). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Heibutzki, Ralph (April 28, 2011). "Crowded Ballot For SB Mayor's Spot: Race Features Five Democrats, Three Republicans" (PDF). Benton Spirit News. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ↑ Peterson, Mark (November 3, 2015). "South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg wins re-election". WNDU-TV. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- 1 2 Blasko, Erin (April 19, 2015). "Pete Buttigieg and Henry Davis Jr. square off in South Bend mayor's race". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ↑ Bell, Kyle W. (May 7, 2015). "What Does Electoral Victory Look Like? Visualizing Buttigieg's Win". South Bend Voice. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "Historical Election Results". Indiana.gov Voter Portal. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- ↑ Blasko, Erin (February 7, 2015). "Henry Davis Jr. files to run for South Bend mayor". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ↑ "South Bend mayoral candidates are in". WSBT-TV. February 6, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- 1 2 Coldwell, Jack (October 11, 2015). "Colwell: A difficult climb for GOP mayoral nominee without support, money". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- 1 2 "Election Night Favored Incumbent Mayors In Indiana's Big Cities". WFYI (TV). November 3, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ↑ "Pete Buttigieg wins re-election for South Bend mayor". WSBT-TV. Associated Press. November 4, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- ↑ Byrne, Robert (December 17, 2018). "Pete Buttigieg to Step Down as Mayor of South Bend Next Year". Victory Institute. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ↑ Brown, Alex (December 17, 2018). "South Bend Mayor Not Seeking Re-Election". Inside Indiana Business. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- 1 2 Parrott, Jeff (December 18, 2018). "Pete Buttigieg will not seek a third term as South Bend mayor". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ↑ McKinney, Matt (December 17, 2018). "South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg will not run for re-election, fueling presidential run speculation". The Indy Channel. WRTV. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ↑ "Buttigieg Won't Seek 3rd Term As South Bend Mayor, Fueling 2020 Speculation". WFYI Indianapolis/ Associated Press. December 17, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff (December 17, 2018). "Amid 2020 Speculation, South Bend Mayor Won't Seek Another Term". Governing/Tribune News Service. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ "2019 General Election Candidates". St. Joseph County. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 "UNOFFICIAL RESULTS PRIMARY ELECTION ST. JOSEPH COUNTY MAY 7, 2019". Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- 1 2 3 Parrott, Jeff (May 8, 2019). "James Mueller rolls to victory in South Bend mayoral primary". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ↑ "South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg endorses James Mueller as his pick to replace him". WSBT-TV. February 11, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- 1 2 3 Hudson, Melissa (May 7, 2019). "Primary election: James Mueller wins Democratic nomination for South Bend mayor". ABC 57. WBND-LD. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ↑ Becker, Lauren (May 2, 2019). "Slew of Democrats hoping to replace Buttigieg busy fundraising, mobilizing voters". WSBT. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ↑ Colwell, Jack (May 12, 2019). "Colwell: Another big victory for Mayor Pete, even though he wasn't on the ballot". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ↑ "Campaign 2019: James Mueller wins South Bend Democratic mayoral primary". WSBT-TV. May 7, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ↑ Fosmoe, Margaret (February 6, 2019). "Lynn Coleman announces he will file today for South Bend mayor's race". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ↑ Bauer, Caleb (February 9, 2019). "Ten in the running for South Bend mayor's race as filing period ends". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ↑ Peterson, Mark (February 8, 2019). "Nine Dems running for South Bend mayor". WNDU. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff (April 22, 2019). "Buttigieg record with black South Bend residents under spotlight. 'He's got some work to do.'". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ "Local Races". WNDU-TV. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ "Teenage candidate will run for mayor in South Bend". WSBT. January 11, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ↑ Oberle, Marissa (May 4, 2019). "Salvador Rodriguez dropping out of South Bend mayoral race". ABC 57. WBND-LD. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff (February 10, 2017). "Potential South Bend mayoral candidates debate access to list of precinct chairpersons". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff (January 8, 2019). "All confirmed potential South Bend mayoral candidates still mulling race". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ↑ Parrott, Jeff; Bauer, Caleb (December 18, 2019). "Here are the potential candidates to run for South Bend mayor". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ↑ Peterson, Mark (January 11, 2019). "South Bend mayoral candidates begin to announce their intentions". WNDU-TV. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- 1 2 "Unofficial Results Primary Election St. Joseph County May 7, 2019 Statistics". St. Joseph County. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- 1 2 "2019 Primary Election". St. Joseph County. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ↑ "Indiana Election Results November 5, 2019". Indiana Election Division. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ↑ "Election Summary Report GENERAL ELECTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA Absentee and Election Day Unofficial Results". St. Joseph County. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ↑ Smith, Jordan (February 3, 2023). "Filing deadline passes; lots of challengers shake up races for South Bend city offices". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ↑ Lumma, Gabbi (November 7, 2023). "James Mueller wins another term as South Bend Mayor". WSBT. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ↑ Smith, Jordan (January 20, 2023). "South Bend councilor Henry Davis Jr. plans to challenge incumbent mayor this May". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ↑ Smith (November 15, 2022). "Mueller announces reelection bid for South Bend mayor, is first candidate to enter race". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- 1 2 "Election Summary Report St. Joseph County, Indiana May 2, 2023 Primary Election St. Joseph County Primary 2023 Official Results". www.sjcindiana.com. St. Joseph County, Indiana. 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ↑ Lee, Tommie (January 20, 2023). "Republican, Democratic candidates filing bids to run for Mayor of South Bend". 95.3 MNC. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Election Summary Report GENERAL ELECTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023 ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA Absentee and Election Day Unofficial Results". St. Joseph County. Retrieved November 8, 2023.