2019 Bloomington Primary|Council Candidate At-Large: Vauhxx Booker
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). Vauhxx Booker came in 6th, receiving 936 votes (6.74%). [Full results here]
Vauhxx Booker 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 Jean Capler, Matt Flaherty, Andy Ruff, Susan Sandberg and Jim Sims.
No Republicans will appear on the primary ballot for at-large council seats.
Booker is a community activist who has lived in Bloomington since 2011. He is chair of the Monroe County Affordable Housing Advisory Commission, for a term ending Dec. 31, 2020.
On his campaign website, Booker proposes actions related to eight priorities: 1) affordable housing, 2) financial oversight and accountability, 3) jobs, 4) more accessible and responsive government, 5) environmental sustainability, 6) parking and sidewalks, 7) equity, and 8) data protection and regulation.
Until recently, Booker was spokesperson for Black Lives Matter Bloomington and was a member of its core council. A post on the BLM website states that because the group is “a politically independent organization and looks forward to continuing to bring voters accurate, non-partisan information about local politics… [Booker’s] actions and his bid for Bloomington City Council are at odds with the organization’s mission and goals.”
In 2018, Booker was a vocal opponent of the city’s decision to purchase a Lenco BearCat armored vehicle. At mayor John Hamilton’s February 2018 State of the City speech, Booker led a group that interrupted the presentation to protest the militarization of local police.
Booker works at Elder’s Journey Home Care. He previously worked as a certified nursing assistant and as a rehabilitation specialist with Centerstone, and as a manager at Friend’s Place, a local emergency homeless shelter.
Booker grew up in Columbus and Seymour, Indiana. Before moving to Bloomington he worked in Louisville as a security supervisor at Norton Audubon Hospital.
Alex Goodlad is Booker’s campaign treasurer. Booker is serving as his own campaign chair.
Links to Additional Information
Email: vauhxxforbloomington@gmail.com
Twitter: @Vauhxx
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: Vauhxx Booker
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
Residents, council react to proposed single-family housing zoning changes – Indiana Daily Student, April 24, 2019
Council candidates say 2016 election, demographic representation made them run – Indiana Daily Student, April 7, 2019
Council candidates discuss Fourth Street parking garage, housing development – Indiana Daily Student, April 2, 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
Black Lives Matter B-Town realigns mission, leadership – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 25, 2019
Newcomer city council candidates’ ages trend downward – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 25, 2019
Bloomington activist Vauhxx Booker to run for city council – Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 12, 2019
Booker announces at-large city council bid – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 5, 2019
Big Mike’s B-town: Vauhxx Booker, ‘Fortune Favors the Bold’ – The Limestone Post, Nov. 29, 2018
Bloomington Transit fires employee who called police on Black Lives Matter member – WRTV, June 12, 2018
Bloomington Transit apologizes to Black Lives Matter leader after bus pass mixup – WRTV, June 6, 2018
Transit center police call sparks review – Bloomington Herald-Times, June 5, 2018
City Council approves agreement to purchase hospital property – Indiana Daily Student, April 19, 2018
Video Timeline: Bloomington’s Controversial Purchase Of An Armored Vehicle – Indiana Public Media, April 13, 2018
Interview with Vauhxx Booker (video) – Dan Canon for Congress, March 12, 2018
A man and his megaphone silence the mayor’s State of the City address – Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 15, 2018