Deputy mayor Donald Griffin Jr. is the latest Democrat to announce he’s running for mayor in 2023. Griffin will be running against Bloomington City Council member Susan Sandberg, and Kerry Thomson, currently the Executive Director of the IU Center for Rural Engagement.
Here is the press release announcing Griffin’s run:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2022
For more information, please contact the campaign at [email protected] or 812-727-3959.
Deputy Mayor Donald Griffin, Jr. Announces Intent to Run for Mayor
Bloomington, IN – Bloomington Deputy Mayor and long-time realtor Donald Griffin, Jr. formally announced his intent to run for Mayor on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Griffin filed to create his campaign committee at the Monroe County Election Board office on Friday, December 2, 2022. Deputy Mayor Griffin cited his vision of a more authentic, inclusive, sustainable, artistic and prosperous Bloomington as his motivation for running for Mayor.
“I believe in Bloomington. I believe that it is possible to work together to create a community that is thriving and open to all,” Griffin stated. “I also believe this can be accomplished in a way that moves everyone forward. We are a community of inventors, artists, musicians, scientists, and independent thinkers. Going forward, we must embrace these values to remain a vibrant community. I am committed to lead Bloomington to focus on sustainability, DEIAB (diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging), housing, and economic & cultural growth. We must learn how to be bold with our assertion that we can and will be the greatest place to live in the entire country. We in Bloomington must strive to transform our city into our own ideal of greatness and be a benchmark for other great small cities. Believing in Bloomington is the first step in our own evolution.”
Griffin grew up in Bloomington and attended MCCSC schools. He graduated from Bloomington HS South before attending Hampton University in Virginia. He began his real estate career at the age of 21 and founded Griffin Realty in 2003.
Griffin’s journey in community service began at an early age when he served as a docent at the Monroe County History Center and as a photographer at the Bloomington Boys & Girls Club. He has continued to serve this community as a member of numerous boards and commissions, including as president of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission; and he currently serves on the national advisory board of the Eskenazi Museum of Art and the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP.
Griffin was named Deputy Mayor for the City of Bloomington in April 2021. Griffin said, “It has been an honor to serve as Deputy Mayor for the last year and a half. As I begin my campaign and share my vision, I plan to step away from this role at the end of this year to focus on my campaign.”
Griffin’s Mayoral campaign is co-chaired by Bloomington City Councilmembers Jim Sims (At-Large) and Kate Rosenbarger (District 1). A campaign kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, December 15th from 5:30-7pm at the Griffin Realty office (735 S. College Ave.). Remarks from Griffin and key supporters will begin at 6pm; the event is free and open to the public.
Additional information is available on Facebook at Facebook.com/griffin4mayor
Griffin’s opponent’s websites are:
Susan Sandberg – https://www.susan-sandberg.com/meet-susan
Kerry Thomson – https://kerryforbloomington.com/
