Fernandez to campaign for Secretary of State

Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez wants to give back to the family and state that supports him and his political career. In an effort to give back, he will run for Indiana Secretary of State this November. \nThe Secretary of State office is the highest elected state official on the ballot this election. Fernandez is the only Democratic candidate running, while the Republican Party has four candidates which will be reduced to one candidate in June at the Republican State Convention.\n"We are very pleased with the support John is receiving from the state," Angela Belden, Fernandez's campaign manager, said.\nFernandez has been Bloomington's mayor since 1995. His tenure has included an increase in jobs, more police on the streets and improving health care for children, according to a January press release.\nGrowing up in Kokomo, Fernandez said he was given every opportunity to succeed. Most of his motivation stems from his family experience. Fernandez's grandfather died in the streets of Spain defending democracy. Fernandez said the symbolism between his grandfather's fight for democracy and his drive to uphold it motivates the Bloomington Mayor.\n"The opportunity to administer what my grandfather was fighting for would be a great tribute to him and is part of my motivation," Fernandez said.\nNot only is Fernandez a political man, he is also a deeply involved family man. \n"I've always tried to strike the right balance between family responsibility and professional responsibility," Fernandez said.\nAs Secretary of State, Fernandez would administer elections, making sure they were fair and done correctly. Duties of the Secretary of State include chartering new business and regulating the securities industry.\nAlthough the IU delegation of College Democrats has yet to assist in the Fernandez campaign, they plan to assist any way they can, according to junior Daniel O'Neill, president of IU College Democrats. The IU College Democrats plan to partake in literature drops, phone banking and group mailings once campaign strategy has been established.\n"We welcome any students wanting to assist in Mayor Fernandez's campaign," O'Neill said.\nThe student group plans to have Mayor Fernandez speak to them as the campaign nears its climax. Once Fernandez's opponent is determined in June, the student democrats will begin work on a campus campaign.\n"It will be interesting to see who the Republican candidate is," O'Neill said. "It's rather difficult to start campaigning before the mayor knows his opponent."\nThe local mayor will be able to count on student support from the IU College Democrats.\n"Mayor Fernandez has an excellent record as an administrator, which is what the Secretary of State does," O'Neill said. "I have no doubt he would make an excellent Secretary of State."\nFor now Fernandez is content to wait for what will come and work hard for the best possible result.\n"I'll just let it happen," Fernandez said. "I just go out, work hard, and earn the support of Indiana. At the end of the day Hoosiers vote for the best candidate"