Story by Cat Barker
Mayoral candidate Cody Hendricks is facing scrutiny after allegedly violating Bloomington’s City Code, Chapter 2, Section 13 E, which prohibits candidates for mayor or council from being nominated or endorsed by political parties.
Alderman Sheila Montney read the code at a recent council meeting. Mailers that read, “Cody is the candidate endorsed by the Mclean County Democrats…” have been shared by voters online.
“I just wanted to draw attention to the code,” said Montney. “Candidates for elected offices of the City of Bloomington (Mayor and Council member) may not run or hold themselves out to be candidates of or nominated or endorsed by political parties.”
Former Bloomington alderman Donna Boelen said, ” The City Code is clear regarding political party endorsement put forth by a candidate running in a nonpartisan municipal election. Candidates for public office are or should be held to a higher standard of integrity. Willful violation of City Code by a candidate in a municipal election makes a mockery of the legislative body for which they are seeking office.”
The City of Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners has been administering nonpartisan elections since its establishment in 1914.
Jenna Kearns, running for Ward 1, has also come under scrutiny after a mailer reading, “Jenna Kearns is the only candidate who supports Democrats,” was sent to voters.
Kearns, according to media reports, “embraces” the nonpartisan qualities of the city council.
