2019 Bloomington Primary|Mayoral Candidate: Amanda Barge

Outcome: John Hamilton won the Democratic Party primary for mayor with 4,065 votes (84.14 percent), compared to 766 votes (15.86 percent) for Amanda Barge. [Full results here]

Amanda Barge declared her intentions to run for a four-year term as mayor of the City of Bloomington, running against incumbent John Hamilton in the May 7, 2019 Democratic Party primary. On April 9 she declared that if she receives more votes than Hamilton in the primary, she would not accept the party’s nomination.

That decision follows her announcement on March 26 that she was suspending her campaign, after the Indiana Daily Student published allegations of sexual harassment, which she denies. Her name will still appear on the ballot, because the deadline for removing it was Feb. 11.

Amanda Barge

Barge was serving her first term as a Monroe County commissioner, but on April 8 announced her resignation, effective immediately. She was vice president of the three-member Board of Commissioners. Her campaign website and social media accounts are deactivated.

Barge was elected in 2016 to a four-year term representing District 3, defeating two opponents in the Democratic Party primary and Republican Paul White Sr. in the November general election. Her term on that board would have run through 2020.

On her campaign website (now deactivated), Barge cited three general priorities that would guide her work as mayor: 1) changing the culture of city government, 2) improving the quality of life for all residents, and 3) bringing inclusive leadership that’s driven by the character of people in this community. She lists several action items related to each of those categories.

Barge, who supported Hamilton’s 2015 bid for mayor, has criticized him for a lack of transparency and inclusiveness, citing his annexation efforts, the BearCat armored vehicle purchase, the broadband initiative, the publishing of private addresses of drug overdose victims.

She owns Amanda Barge Counseling, located in the Fountain Square Mall in downtown Bloomington. According to her LinkedIn profile, she was an outpatient therapist for Centerstone from 2003-2011.

Barge has been active in local politics for several years. She served as treasurer for Isabel Piedmont-Smith’s 2015 campaign for Bloomington city council. She is on the steering committee for the local Democratic Women’s Caucus and was a precinct vice chair for the Monroe County Democratic Party.

Barge holds an undergraduate degree in political science and gender studies from Indiana University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. She is married to John Barge and has two school-age children, Ramona and Truman.

Josh Johnson served as Barge’s campaign manager. Her campaign headquarters was located at the Victoria Towers, 221 E. Kirkwood Ave. but has closed.

Links to Additional Information

Campaign website (deactivated)

Email: abetterbloomington@gmail.com

Facebook (deactivated)

Twitter: @barge4BTown (deactivated)

Campaign finance reports (2019 election cycle):

In the News: Amanda Barge

Hamilton, Smith, uncontested Democrats look to fall election – Bloomington Herald-Times, May 7, 2019

Barge seeks ‘statement votes’ despite suspended mayoral race – Bloomington Herald-Times, May 6, 2019

Barge resigns as county commissioner – Indiana Public Media, April 8, 2019

Barge to resign from county board of commissioners – Bloomington Herald-Times, April 8, 2019

Monroe County Democrats to Barge: ‘Resign immediately’ – Bloomington Herald-Times, April 7, 2019

Monroe County Democratic Party Calls On Barge To Resign As Commissioner – Indiana Public Media, April 7, 2019

Barge Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations At Commissioner Meeting – Indiana Public Media, April 3, 2019

Barge denies harassment charge at commissioners’ meeting – Bloomington Herald-Times, April 3, 2019

Black Lives Matter activists call for Amanda Barge to resign as county commissioner – Indiana Daily Student, April 2, 2019

Black Lives Matter calls for Barge’s resignation, county policy changes – Bloomington Herald-Times, April 2, 2019

Here’s what you need to know in the aftermath of allegations against Amanda Barge – Indiana Daily Student, March 31, 2019

Democratic women’s caucus withdraws endorsement of Barge – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 29, 2019

Bloomington races not over, despite candidates’ actions; independent plans mayoral run – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 29, 2019

Barge plans to retain commissioner post following sexual harassment allegations – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 27, 2019

What Happens Next In The Bloomington Mayoral Primary Election – Indiana Public Media, March 27, 2019

Barge Does Not Plan To Resign As County Commissioner Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations – Indiana Public Media, March 27, 2019

Amanda Barge suspends mayoral campaign after sexual harassment allegations – Indiana Daily Student, March 26, 2019

Amanda Barge Suspends Mayoral Campaign After Sexual Harassment Allegations – Indiana Public Media, March 26, 2019

Barge suspends campaign after sexual harassment claims – WFHB, March 26, 2019

Barge suspends mayoral campaign after allegations of sexual harassment – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 26, 2019

‘She should’ve known better.’ Monroe County commissioner and Bloomington mayoral candidate Amanda Barge is being accused of sexually harassing a county contractor for more than a year. – Indiana Daily Student, March 25, 2019

Barge, Hamilton receive endorsements – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 25, 2019

Barge, Hamilton talk housing at second debate – WFHB, March 19, 2019

Bloomington Mayoral Candidates Debate Development, Healthcare, Sustainability – Indiana Public Media, March 19, 2019

Mayoral candidates Barge, Hamilton offer contrasting views at forum – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 19, 2019

Hamilton and Barge clash on the definition, importance of progressivism – Indiana Daily Student, March 19, 2019

Mayoral candidate forum (video) – Community Access Television Services (CATS), March 18, 2019

Hamilton’s well-funded campaign dwarfs Barge’s – Bloomington Herald-Times, March 10, 2019

Episode 193 with Amanda Barge – Two Broads Talking Politics podcast, March 6, 2019

Bloomington mayoral candidates Hamilton, Barge visit IU campus, debate affordable housing – Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 26, 2019

Mayoral candidates discuss affordable housing – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 26, 2019

Mayoral Candidate Amanda Barge responds to State of the City address – Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 22, 2019

Barge responds to Hamilton’s address – Bloomington Herald-Times, Feb. 22, 2019

Former female commissioners celebrate with Indiana’s first elected all-women board – Fox 59, Feb. 6, 2019

Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge announces run for mayor – Indiana Daily Student, Jan. 22, 2019

Barge officially running for mayor – Bloomington Herald-Times, Jan. 22, 2019

Monroe Co. Commissioners Drafting New Convention Center Agreement – Bloomington Herald-Times, Jan. 16, 2019

County commissioner considers running for mayor – Bloomington Herald-Times, Nov. 13, 2018

Monroe County Convention Center Expansion Delayed By City, County Dispute – Indiana Public Media, Aug. 8, 2018

Facebook outrage leads to changes in how Bloomington displays overdose data – Indiana Daily Student, July 12, 2018

Bloomington to update website showing locations of overdose deaths – Fox 59, July 11, 2018

Criticism on overdose data leads to closed-door City Hall meeting – Bloomington Herald-Times, July 10, 2018

Bloomington Proposing Temporary Moratorium On New Addiction Treatment Centers – WFYI, June 4, 2018

Police purchase of armored truck sparks debate – Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 14, 2018

Interview with Amanda Barge on the Big Talk podcast – WFHB, Jan. 11, 2018

Monroe County votes 4-3 to adopt food and beverage tax – Indiana Daily Student, Dec. 14, 2017

Monroe County Votes Down Adding E-Cigs To Smoking Ban – Indiana Public Media, Feb. 17, 2017

Amanda Barge Candidate Statement for District 3 Commissioner – Monroe County Democratic Party, 2016