Kruzan kicks off campaign at Nick’s

Bloomington residents, politicians and a native screenwriter and producer gathered in the Hoosier Room of Nick’s English Hut on Thursday evening to show their support for Mayor Mark Kruzan.

Kruzan, first elected in 2003, is running against John Hamilton and John Gusan in the Democratic primary election in May.

Kruzan was introduced by Angelo Pizzo, screenwriter and producer for the movies “Hoosiers” and “Rudy.”  

“He (Kruzan) is a very funny guy,” Pizzo said. “Comedy is very difficult — getting that timing right is tough.”

Kruzan got the audience laughing with a play on words as soon as he took the floor.

“I got to go to the filming of ‘Breaking Away’ as an 18-year-old version of myself,” Kruzan said. “That’s version.”

Kruzan graduated from IU with degrees in journalism and political science in 1982.

In his speech, Kruzan listed his four C’s as his approach to governing the city — community character, community commerce, community collaboration and community condition. 

Kruzan said he has adopted the slogan of his girlfriend, head coach of IU’s women’s volleyball team — “controlling the controllable.”

He says he is not worrying about the campaigns of his competitors but rather his own.

Community commerce and collaboration were the reasons Kruzan decided to hold the event at Nick’s, he said.

“Nick’s is iconic. It’s local, and it’s a part of our character,” Kruzan said.

Before his speech, Kruzan supporters huddled around the popular incumbent, attempting to get a word with him.

Kruzan said he was confident in the upcoming election but he never allows himself to get too optimistic.

“We have a really good team with strong supporters,” said Alexa Lopez, Kruzan’s deputy campaign manager.

Bloomington resident Mike Walsh, one of the roughly 100 in attendance, said he is a Kruzan supporter because he believes the mayor has done great things for Bloomington.

“He has made Bloomington comfortable and attractive for business development,” Walsh said.

During his eight years as mayor, Kruzan said he is most proud of the B-Line Trail, the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District and the state-of-the-art police and fire training facility located on Walnut Street.

Indiana Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, was also in attendance.

“The mayor and I have been friends many years,” Simpson said. “He is a progressive thinker and has done great things for this city.”

Kruzan concluded his speech by thanking those in attendance and mentioning prominent people who were busy in Urbana, Ill.

“(Reps.) Matt (Pierce) and Peggy (Welch) couldn’t be here tonight,” Kruzan said. “Plus, Urbana is beautiful this time of year.”

The bar exploded in laughter.