Kruzan control

In a crowded room on the corner of Seventh and Morton streets, amid a sea of red "Mark Kruzan for Mayor" shirts and the smell of fried chicken, Democratic mayoral candidate Mark Kruzan announced triumphantly, "Thirty-two years of Democrats is not enough!"\nKruzan defeated Republican Fred Prall Tuesday night by a margin of 3,037 votes, assuring a continuance in the 32-year Democratic mayoral winning streak.\nAt Democratic Headquarters, Kruzan began his remarks to the cheering crowd by first thanking his wife, Amy, and all the people who he says made his campaign so successful, including IU students.\n"Students make a difference," Kruzan said. "Student interns helped run this campaign, and our margin of victory reflects that effort."\nKruzan then congratulated all the other Democratic winners of the night, taking a moment to pay tribute to Democrat Frank McCloskey. A former U.S. Representative and Bloomington mayor, McCloskey lost his year-long fight with bladder cancer Sunday. \n"This ball started rolling 32 years ago," Kruzan said. "We are simply a product of the roots that Frank McCloskey set in this community, and I do think that the 2003 election is dedicated to Frank McCloskey."\nJennifer Perry was just one of the 7,566 people who voted for Kruzan Tuesday. A homemaker, Perry helped pass out Kruzan's literature to Bloomington homes and says she voted for Kruzan for a number of reasons.\n"He's got so many years of experience and service in the state and in Bloomington, and I think he's done a great job in his service so far," Perry said. "He's got experience, he's got good ideas, and I think he's going to make a great mayor."\nHans Tischler, a retired IU Professor of Musicology, says he voted for Kruzan because of his experience in state government. \n"He has had a responsible position in the state government for many years and therefore he has a very good 'in' with the state government," Tischler said. "He's very intelligent and very well-spoken."\nBetsy Walsh, a retired Binford Elementary School principal, expressed her support for the Democratic Party in her clothing. Sporting a green Dave Rollo T-shirt and a red Mark Kruzan button, Walsh said that Kruzan's ideas for Bloomington's future are his most impressive qualities.\n"He has experience in the governmental arena and I think that he will be able to bring a lot of state support to Bloomington and Indiana University," Walsh said. "I think he has a real vision for Bloomington and I think that's what's wonderful about our city. We're always moving forward, always looking for better ways of doing things."\nMaria Heslin, Kruzan's campaign manager, agrees that Kruzan's ideas for Bloomington were the driving force behind his election.\n"Mark's vision led this whole campaign," Heslin said. "He's incredibly creative and he really got out there and learned all about Bloomington. And we were able to, as a team, communicate his vision to the community."\nKruzan says he is excited to begin working toward his vision with the Bloomington community.\n"What goes on across the street in City Hall is incredibly important to the future of this city," Kruzan said. "I look forward to joining the team on the (City) Council. I've got a lot to learn and I hope to be doing that for the next four years."\nTuesday's election was the ninth victory of Kruzan's political career, but he says this one is much more than a number.\n"It feels more important to get this message out to so many people," Kruzan said. "I am amazed at the number of people who are thanking me for running, not because it's me, but because it's someone they feel they can trust in office, who sees the city the same way they do. And that shows how much they care for the community."\nHis voice becoming increasingly hoarse as the evening's excitement came to an end, Kruzan said he was looking forward to today.\n"Three things are going to happen now," Kruzan said. "Number one, I'm going to try to do something I haven't done in a year, which is to get eight hours of sound sleep. Number two is to go around and get yard signs and start thanking people. And number three is to start getting prepared for the next four years."\n-- Contact staff writer Sarah Schwimmer at sschwimm@indiana.edu.