2019 Bloomington General | District 3 Council Candidate: Ron Smith
Ron Smith won the primary and is the Democratic Party nominee for a four-year term on the Bloomington Common Council representing District 3. [Full results here]
He faces independents Marty Spechler and Nick Kappas in the Nov. 5 general election. The incumbent Democrat, Allison Chopra, is not seeking re-election.
District 3 covers portions of Bloomington’s northeast and east sides. (Click here for a map of city districts.)
After retiring from a career with the state’s Division of Aging and the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, Smith now works as a care manager for Area 10 Agency on Aging. He was appointed to the city’s Commission on Aging earlier this year for a term ending Jan. 31, 2020.
The Herald-Times reported that Smith intends to focus on the needs of senior citizens, if elected.
Smith previously ran for the District 3 seat in 2011 by participating in a four-way Democratic Party primary, which was won by Marty Spechler.
Smith has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University and a master’s degree in social work from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Smith is married to Lynn Schwartzberg, general manager for One World Catering.
He is serving as his own campaign treasurer and chair.
Links to Additional Information
Campaign website: NA
Email: ronforcitycouncil2019@gmail.com
Twitter: NA
Campaign finance reports (2019 election cycle):
- Statement of organization
- Declaration of candidacy
- Statement of economic interests
- Pre-Election Report of Receipts and Expenditures (due on Oct. 18, 2019)
In the News: Ron Smith
Bloomington city council candidate forum: Indiana University connections – B Square Beacon, Nov. 3, 2019
Inside baseball: Guenther swings away with farmers market “winning issue” accusation in District 2 city council race – B Square Beacon, Oct. 29, 2019
Bloomington city council campaign filings: Party support means Republican candidate enjoys 20-to-1 funding advantage over Democrat – B Square Beacon, Oct. 19, 2019
Key topics for District 3 city council race forum: convention center, transportation – B Square Beacon, Oct. 17, 2019
Bloomington city council candidates asked: What are you going to do to combat white supremacy in your support of the arts? – B Square Beacon, Sept. 20, 2019
Hamilton, Smith, uncontested Democrats look to fall election – Bloomington Herald-Times, May 7, 2019
City Council Newcomers Prevail In Democratic Primary – Indiana Public Media, May 7, 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
Bloomington races not over, despite candidates’ actions; independent plans mayoral run – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 29, 2019
Blickensdorf drops out of city council race, resigns from parking commissions – Indiana Daily Student, March 27, 2019
Blickensdorf resigns from city council race, parking commission – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 27, 2019
District 3 candidate Ron Smith to advocate for ‘responsible’ development,’ neighborhoods – Indiana Daily Student, March 25, 2019
Big Talk Interview with District 3 Candidate Ron Smith – WFHB, March 21, 2019
Newcomer city council candidates’ ages trend downward – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 25, 2019
First day of filing kicks off 2019 elections – Bloomington Herald-Times, Jan. 8, 2019