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Ryan Denham / WGLT
Originally published on April 2, 2021 5:24 pm
We’re nearing the end of a local election cycle unlike any other in recent history.
The pandemic has limited the personal contact that’s typically the foundation of Bloomington-Normal city council elections. That’s been partially replaced by a barrage of social media ads and campaign mailers funded by unusually large campaign contributions from outside groups. And candidates themselves are bunching up in larger ideology-driven slates than we’ve seen recently.
The sense among those interviewed by WGLT is that there is simply more at stake.
“It’s fascinating to see how seriously some groups and some individuals are taking this election,” said Joseph Zompetti, an Illinois State University professor and expert in political communication.
The three candidates on the ballot for Bloomington mayor are, from left, Mboka Mwilambwe, Jackie Gunderson, and Michael Straza.
Bloomington voters this spring will choose their first new mayor in eight years. The choice is between a low-key veteran city council member and two political newcomers with very different backgrounds. One of them will replace Tari Renner, who is not seeking a third term.
Mboka Mwilambwe
Mboka Mwilambwe, who joined the city council in 2011, said his focus would be on updating the city’s roads and other infrastructure and providing core services like public safety and recreation.
“The streets are the thing that people actually see. When we have some that are in a state of disrepair, I don’t think it makes the public trust what we’re doing. If we do focus on that, we’ll be able to generate a lot more trust from the generic public. Because what we don’t want is the public to look at us engaging in other endeavors, and yet the street in front of