Secretary of State new goal for mayor Fernandez

Mayor John Fernandez has brought change to Bloomington during his eight year tenure as mayor. He helped create more than 2,300 jobs, increased the police on the street, lowered taxes, increased resources for childhood care assistance and encouraged the expansion of Hoosier Healthwise -- Indiana's health insurance program for children.\nAccording to a press release, he plans to do more.\nHe is now looking to bring his unique brand of leadership to the state house, running as the Democratic candidate for secretary of state, the highest post up for election in 2002.\nThe secretary of state post is currently held by Republican Sue Anne Gilroy, who will vacate her post after her second term. Indiana law prohibits a person from serving as secretary of state for more than eight years in a 12-year period.\nAngela Belden, Fernandez's campaign manager, has been working with Fernandez since the early stages of his campaign. \n"I managed Peggy Welch's campaign when I was introduced to the mayor," she said. "He has done great things for Bloomington, and that will translate well on the state level."\nFernandez is now focusing on gaining statewide recognition.\n"Secretary of state requires a statewide campaign, and we are getting support everywhere," Belden said. "But John can use his success as mayor to bring innovation to the post. He is focused on economic growth and development, and that is what Indiana needs."\nFernandez, a graduate from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs and School of Law, has been involved with Bloomington government for years, serving on the city council for five years and as its president in 1991. He has served as mayor since 1995.\nIf Fernandez is elected to the state post, a county caucus will select a replacement mayor to serve for the remainder of his term.\nFernandez is focusing on several issues for the campaign, including regional business problems and restructuring the way elections are conducted. He asserts that business problems specific to regions can be combatted constructively. \n"I have seen first hand how the troubled steel industry has affected communities," Fernandez said. "When Continental Steel closed its doors, my own father lost his job, and when Thompson Consumer Electronics closed in Bloomington, over 1,400 jobs were lost.\n"To combat the joblessness, Bloomington sponsored targeted retraining programs and attracted over $150 million in new investments. Those efforts created 2,300 new jobs for Bloomington."\nFernandez has no Democratic opponent for the Secretary of State post. Currently five Republicans are running, and only one will receive the nomination from the state convention. \n"I am encouraged by the support of Democrats and Hoosiers statewide," he said. "Not having a Democratic opponent has allowed me to focus on building my campaign for the November elections."\nGarnering support from the entire state is a key goal for Fernandez's campaign. \n"I have received support from young people across the state," he said. "The College Democrats have been providing the grassroots support that is necessary in a statewide campaign."\nTo spread his message across the state, Fernandez plans to travel the state discussing matters important to Hoosiers statewide.\n"I want to talk and share ideas with the people," he said. "I also want to share my plans for keeping elections fair and clean in Indiana"