City Council Candidate Survey
Heading Home asked candidates for Bloomington Council to answer questions about housing insecurity.
In the May 2, 2023 primary election, 19 candidates are running for a four-year term on the Bloomington Common Council. There are candidates in each of the six council districts, as well as candidates for the council’s three at-large seats.
Heading Home posed three questions to each candidate, focused on low-income housing and homelessness. Fifteen of the 19 candidates submitted responses, which you’ll find below.
Early voting starts on April 4. For information about polling locations, voting dates/times or to find out what district you live in, go to the Monroe County Election Central website. Winners of the primary election will appear on the ballot for the Nov. 7 general election. Candidates who prevail in November will take office on Jan. 1, 2024.
DISTRICT 1
Joe Lee (D)
Joe Lee is running against Isabel Piedmont-Smith for the District 1 seat.
Joe Lee’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://joelee4council.com/
Isabel Piedmont-Smith (D)
Isabel Piedmont-Smith currently serves on Bloomington Council representing District 5. Following the 2022 redistricting of city council, she is running for election against Joe Lee in the new District 1.
Isabel Piedmont-Smith’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: http://www.piedmontsmith.us/
DISTRICT 2
Kate Rosenbarger (D)
Kate Rosenbarger currently serves on Bloomington Council representing District 1. Following the 2022 redistricting of city council, she is running for election against Sue Sgambelluri in the new District 2.
Kate Rosenbarger’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire. Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://kateforbloomington.org/
Sue Sgambelluri (D)
Sue Sgambelluri currently serves on Bloomington Council representing District 2. She is running against Kate Rosenbarger.
Sue Sgambelluri’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.sueforcitycouncil.com/
DISTRICT 3
Ron Smith (D)
Ron Smith currently serves as the District 3 representative and is one of three Democrats running in District 3. He is running against Hopi Stosberg and Conner Wright.
Ron Smith’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.ronsmithforcitycouncil.com/
HOPI STOSBERG (D)
Hopi Stosberg is running against Ron Smith and Conner Wright for the District 3 seat.
Hopi Stosberg’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://hopi.stosberg.com/
Conner Wright (D)
Conner Wright is running against Hopi Stosberg and Ron Smith for the District 3 seat.
Conner Wright’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.connerforbloomington.com/
BREtt heinisch (R)
Brett Heinisch is running unopposed in the Republican Party primary for District 3. He will run against the winner of the Democratic Party primary in the November general election.
Brett Heinisch’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: NA
district 4
dave rollo (D)
Dave Rollo currently serves on the Bloomington Council representing District 4. He is unopposed in the Democratic Party primary and no Republican is running for this seat.
Dave Rollo did not submit responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire.
Link to candidate website: https://daverollo.com/
district 5
shruti rana (d)
Shruti Rana is running against Jenny Olmes Stevens for the District 5 seat.
Shruti Rana’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.electshruti.com/
jenny olmes stevens (d)
Jenny Olmes Stevens is running against Shruti Rana for the District 5 seat.
Jenny Olmes Stevens’ responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.jennyforbloomington.com
district 6
david wolfe bender (D)
David Wolfe Bender is the only candidate on the ballot for District 6. The Monroe County Election Board has set a May 18 hearing on the issue of his residency. Read this B Square Bulletin report for details.
David Wolfe Bender did not submit responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire.
Link to candidate website: https://www.davidwolfebender.com/
AT-LArge
ISAK ASARE (D)
Isak Asare is one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
Isak Asare’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://isakasare.com/
matt flaherty (d)
Matt Flaherty currently serves as an at-large Bloomington Council member. He is one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
Matt Flaherty’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.flahertyforbloomington.com/
Andy Ruff (d)
Andy Ruff is one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
Andy Ruff’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://andyruffforcouncil.com/
lois sabo-skelton (D)
Lois Sabo-Skelton is one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
She did not submit responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire.
Link to candidate website: https://loisforcitycouncil.com/
jonas schrodt (D)
Jonas Schrodt is one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
Jonas Schrodt’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.jonasforbloomington.com/
ryne shadday (D)
Ryne Shadday is one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
Ryne Shadday’s responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire: Click here.
Link to candidate website: https://www.facebook.com/rshadday
Steve Volan (D)
Steve Volan currently serves on Bloomington Council representing District 6. Following the 2022 redistricting, his residency shifted to District 4. He is now running as one of seven candidates vying for three at-large seats.
Steve Volan did not submit responses to Heading Home’s questionnaire.
Link to candidate website: https://volan.org/vote/
