IU student faces current city clerk in election

For IU junior Matt Stevenson, today could be the beginning of his political career. This year's election marks the first political endeavor for the history and secondary education major. But for his competitor, Democrat Regina Moore, campaigning for re-election hasn't been her top priority for the past three weeks.\nIt's not because Moore doesn't take today seriously, but rather she's been at the hospital with her friend Frank McCloskey.\nMcCloskey, a former U.S. congressman and Bloomington mayor, died Sunday.\nMoore said she had been at McCloskey's bedside almost daily since he was hospitalized.\n"The life and death of a friend has overshadowed the election for me," she said. \nMoore will be at the Democratic Party headquarters tonight to await election results. \nMoore was elected city clerk in 1999 and is currently the vice president of the Monroe County Democrats. She served as an IU professor for 15 years. \nFor Stevenson, today will be a normal Tuesday, he will attend his band class, but later monitor the election results with the College Republicans. \nThe linchpin of his campaign platform is the infusion of student opinion into city government. \n"It's easy to get caught up in national elections," he said. "I've learned local politics are really important."\nAt age 20, Stevenson is thankful for the political baptism he has received in this year's campaign. He said he wants to continue to participate in electoral politics after he graduates.\n"I've been very lucky to be able to do this, and I'd do it again," Stevenson said.\nThe city clerk is the official record keeper for the city of Bloomington. The clerk also hears parking ticket disputes. \n-- Contact senior writer Adam VanOsdol at avanosdo@indiana.edu.