2019 Bloomington General | At-Large Council Candidate: Susan Sandberg

Susan Sandberg is running in the general election for one of three at-large councilmember seats on the Bloomington Common Council, with two other candidates, Jim Sims 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. No election for at-large city council candidates will be held on Nov. 5.

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.

Sandberg is a career advisor at the Career Development Office of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA).

Sandberg has served on council since January 2007 when she was chosen by the Monroe County Democratic Party caucus to replace Chris Gaal, following his election as Monroe County prosecutor. She was elected to an at-large seat in November 2007, then re-elected in 2011 and 2015.

Sandberg first ran for council in 2003 in District 2, but was defeated by Republican Jason Banach by a vote of 477 to 562.

In a recent Herald-Times report, Sandberg said that public safety and basic city services will remain budget priorities.

Over the years Sandberg has served on a variety of city advisory groups. She is a current member of the Plan Commission, the Jack Hopkins Social Services Funding Committee, and the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Funding Citizens Advisory Committee. She served as council president in 2008, 2011 and 2017.

Sandberg is a campaign co-chair for mayor John Hamilton’s 2019 re-election bid. She is a founding member of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, a political action committee, and previously served as the vice chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party.

Her community work has included serving on the board of the South Central Community Action Program and volunteering with New Leaf/New Life.

She is a member of a ukulele band, The UkeTones. Sandberg graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Sandberg is serving as her own campaign chair. Iris Kiesling – a former Bloomington councilmember and former Monroe County commissioner – is serving as honorary chair. Sarah Sandberg is campaign treasurer.

Links to Additional Information

Campaign website: NA

Email: susan@susansandberg.org

Facebook

Twitter: @SusanJSandberg2

Campaign finance reports (2019 election cycle):

In the News: Susan Sandberg

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

At-large city council member runs for fourth term on arts and affordable housing – Indiana Daily Student, April 22, 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

Newcomer city council candidates’ ages trend downward – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 25, 2019

Sandberg seeking fourth city council term – Bloomington Herald-Times, Jan. 11, 2019

Bloomington City Council Votes Down Fourth Street Garage Reconstruction Proposal – Indiana Public Media, Dec. 20, 2018

The Bicentennial Journal: History of Women in Politics – WFHB, May 15, 2018

City councilwomen address #MeToo movement – Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 28, 2018

Bloomington City Council approves master plan – Indiana Daily Student, Jan. 19, 2018

Bloomington police turn cars into offices on wheels – Indiana Daily Student, Sept. 14, 2017

City council president considers solutions to Bloomington Police Department understaffing – Indiana Daily Student, Sept. 7, 2017