2019 Bloomington General | At-Large Council Candidate: Jim Sims

Jim Sims is running in the general election for one of three at-large councilmember seats on the Bloomington Common Council, with two other candidates, Susan Sandberg and Matt Flaherty.

Because the three are not opposed by any other candidates on the ballot or as write-ins, no election will be held for the at-large seats on Nov. 5 and they’ll win by default.

No Republicans appeared on the primary ballot, and the party did not “caucus in” any candidates for the general election. No independent or write-in candidates filed to be a candidate for city council’s at-large seats.

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] Other candidates for seats in the May 7, 2019 Democratic Party primary were Vauhxx Booker, Jean Capler, and Andy Ruff.

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 an 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 retired 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.

For the primary, Sims served as his own campaign chair and treasurer. In April, Louis B. Robinson became his campaign treasurer.

Links to Additional Information

Campaign website: NA

Email: jimsims1212@gmail.com

Facebook

Twitter: NA

Campaign finance reports (2019 election cycle):

In the News: Jim Sims

Contested Bloomington elections set for fall: None citywide, two of six council districts – B Square Beacon, July 3, 2019

Filing deadline passes with no independent candidates for Bloomington mayor on the ballot B Square Beacon, July 1, 2019

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