2019 Bloomington Primary | Council Candidate At-Large: Jim Sims
Outcome: The top three at-large vote-getters in the Democratic Party primary were Susan Sandberg with 2,993 votes (21.54 percent), Jim Sims with 2,728 votes (19.63 percent) and Matt Flaherty with 2,564 votes (18.45 percent). [Full results here]
Jim Sims is running for a four-year term on the Bloomington Common Council as an at-large councilmember. He is one of six candidates vying for three at-large seats in the May 7, 2019 Democratic Party primary. Other at-large candidates are Vauhxx Booker, Jean Capler, Matt Flaherty, Andy Ruff, and Susan Sandberg.
No Republicans have filed for the at-large seats in the May primary.
Sims has served on council in an at-large seat since August 2017. He was chosen by the Monroe County Democratic Party caucus to replace Tim Mayer, who resigned.
In 2003 Sims ran for the common council to represent District 1, but voters in the Democratic primary that year gave the nomination to Chris Sturbaum in the two-candidate race.
In a recent interview with the Herald-Times, Sims said that he hopes to continue serving on council to promote job growth, infrastructure improvement and social equity.
Sims is president of the Monroe County chapter of the NAACP and is a member of the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus. He co-founded the Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance (BBSA), and has been a frequent co-host of the WFHB talk show Bring It On.
Over the years he has served on several city advisory boards and commissions. He is currently a member of the Public Safety Local Income Tax Committee of the Monroe County Local Income Tax Council, the Common Council Sidewalk Committee, and the Utilities Service Board (ex-officio).
Sims has lived in Bloomington since the mid-1970s, and has a general studies degree from Indiana University. He is retiring in February 2019 from IU, where he has worked as facility manager for the northwestern residence halls.
He is married to Doris Sims, director of the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND). They have two children, Camisha and James.
Sims is serving as his own campaign treasurer and chair.
Links to Additional Information
Campaign website: NA
Email: jimsims1212@gmail.com
Twitter: NA
Campaign finance reports (2019 election cycle):
- Statement of organization
- Declaration of candidacy
- Statement of economic interests
- Pre-Primary Report of Receipts and Expenditures
In the News: Jim Sims
Sandberg, Sims, Flaherty earn Democratic at-large city council nominations; Ruff out
– Bloomington Herald-Times, May 7, 2019
City Council Newcomers Prevail In Democratic Primary – Indiana Public Media, May 7, 2019
City council at-large candidates discuss affordable housing, parking – Bloomington Herald-Times, May 3, 2019
City candidates discuss inclusivity, guns at North’s election forum – Bloomington Herald-Times, April 17, 2019
Sims runs for re-election to support new jobs, affordable housing, diverse voices – Indiana Daily Student, April 16, 2019
Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce candidate forum (video) – Community Access Television Services (CATS), April 2, 2019
City council candidates discuss parking, the downtown and affordable housing – Bloomington Herald-Times, April 2, 2019
At-large city council candidates talk climate, development, equality at forum – Indiana Daily Student, March 26, 2019
Newcomer city council candidates’ ages trend downward – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 25, 2019
Jim and Doris Sims: Dedicated to improving the community – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 13, 2019
Sims seeks to retain at-large council seat – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 8, 2019
Bloomington City Council Votes Down Fourth Street Garage Reconstruction Proposal – Indiana Public Media, Dec. 20, 2018
Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance: A Black Voice for the Black Community – Bloom Magazine, Oct. 23, 2018
City Council introduces proposed parking and hunting changes – Indiana Daily Student, Sept. 6, 2018
City Council approves agreement to purchase hospital property – Indiana Daily Student, April 19, 2018
IU employee elected to Bloomington City Council – Indiana Daily Student, Aug. 23, 2017
Candidate statement for at-large vacancy – Monroe County Democratic Party, August 2017