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UPDATE: Julie Thomas (Commission District 2), Penny Githens (Commission District 3), Cathy Smith (Auditor), Joani Shields (Coroner), Jessica McClellan (Treasurer) and Trohn Enright-Randolph (Surveyor) have prevailed in the Nov. 3 general election.
This page provides information about candidates for Monroe County Commissioner (Districts 2 & 3) and the following Monroe County offices: auditor, coroner, treasurer, and surveyor. Most of these seats are uncontested, and there are no Republicans on the Nov. 3 ballot. All offices are for four-year terms. The races for Monroe County Council and the Monroe County Circuit Court are covered separately. Click here for information on candidates for Monroe County Council. Click here for information on Monroe County Circuit Court judicial candidates. |
Monroe County Commission
The Monroe County Commission is a three-member board that acts as the executive and legislative arm for county government. These positions are considered part-time with a salary of $35,257. Commissioners must live in the districts that they represent, but they are elected by a countywide vote.
This year, the seats for Districts 2 and 3 are on the Nov. 3 ballot. No Republicans are running for these offices.
This year, the seats for Districts 2 and 3 are on the Nov. 3 ballot. No Republicans are running for these offices.
Monroe County Commission: District 2
District 2 covers Bloomington Township, including the northern part of the City of Bloomington. This year, incumbent Julie Thomas is running against Randy Paul, who is an official write-in candidate for the Green Party.
Julie Thomas (D)
Democrat Julie Thomas is the incumbent District 2 commissioner. She was first elected to the commission in 2012 and currently serves as its president. In her capacity as a commissioner, she is a member of the Monroe County Plan Commission. She previously served on the Monroe County Council from 2009-2012.
She is adjunct faculty at Franklin College and online adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University, teaching global, European and Russian history. Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website: NA Facebook campaign page League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page Bloomington Herald-Times questionnaire CATS Candidates On Demand video Campaign Statement of Organization Contact info: juliethomasforcommissioner@gmail.com |
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Randy Paul (G)
Randy Paul is a disability rights activist and former Monroe County Public Library trustee. He led the recent effort to revive the Green Party in Monroe County, after resigning from the Monroe County Democratic Party in 2019. He is a frequent speaker during public commentary at local government meetings, often citing concerns over accessibility and transparency.
Paul is running as an official write-in candidate, and his name will not appear on the printed ballot. Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website: NA Facebook page League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page Bloomington Herald-Times questionnaire CATS Candidates On Demand video Contact info: greenpartyabetterway@yahoo.com |
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Monroe County Commission: District 3
District 3 covers most of northeast, east and southeast Monroe County: Benton Township, Clear Creek Township, Perry Township (precincts 7-26, 28, and 30-32), Polk Township, Salt Creek Township and Washington Township.
Penny Githens (D)
Penny Githens is the incumbent commissioner for District 3. She is unchallenged on Nov. 3. During her tenure as Monroe County Commissioner, she has focused on solid waste management, fire protection, stormwater management, county parks and trails, community corrections, and the Substance Use Disorder Commission. She told the Chamber that she plans to focus on these projects, plus rural transit, in her next term.
Githens is a retired project manager at Indiana University's School of Education, and has been active in several community organizations, including the Monroe County YMCA and IN*SOURCE. Her experiences as the mother of a child with autism drew her into the political arena, and her involvement with local and state autism groups led to many years as a volunteer educational advocate. She led the movement to mandate health insurance coverage for those with autism in the state of Indiana.
Githens previously made two unsuccessful bids for State Representative in District 60. This is her first election for county commissioner, as she was appointed to the seat in 2019 by the Monroe County Democrats to fill a vacancy after the resignation of Amanda Barge.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions
Campaign website
Facebook campaign page
League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: pennygithens@gmail.com
Githens is a retired project manager at Indiana University's School of Education, and has been active in several community organizations, including the Monroe County YMCA and IN*SOURCE. Her experiences as the mother of a child with autism drew her into the political arena, and her involvement with local and state autism groups led to many years as a volunteer educational advocate. She led the movement to mandate health insurance coverage for those with autism in the state of Indiana.
Githens previously made two unsuccessful bids for State Representative in District 60. This is her first election for county commissioner, as she was appointed to the seat in 2019 by the Monroe County Democrats to fill a vacancy after the resignation of Amanda Barge.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions
Campaign website
Facebook campaign page
League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: pennygithens@gmail.com
Monroe County Auditor
Cathy Smith (D)
Cathy Smith is the incumbent county auditor and was first elected to that post in 2016. She previously served as the Monroe County treasurer.
The county auditor is responsible for budget preparation, financial report, payroll and other county financial and tax issues. The position is for a four-year term with an annual salary of $62,765 and term-limited to two consecutive terms. Click here for more information about the auditor's office.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview and did not submit written responses to our questions.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA
Campaign website: NA
Facebook campaign page
League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: cathysmithforauditor@gmail.com
The county auditor is responsible for budget preparation, financial report, payroll and other county financial and tax issues. The position is for a four-year term with an annual salary of $62,765 and term-limited to two consecutive terms. Click here for more information about the auditor's office.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview and did not submit written responses to our questions.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA
Campaign website: NA
Facebook campaign page
League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: cathysmithforauditor@gmail.com
Monroe County Coroner
Joani Shields (D)
Joani Shields is the incumbent Monroe County Coroner. She was first elected to this position in 2016, after serving as deputy coroner since 2009. She was deputy coroner for Owen County from 2004-2010. She is a certified EMT with a certified medicolegal death investigator.
The coroner is responsible for identification of the deceased, determination of the cause of death and determination of the manner of death. The coroner is considered an officer of the court with the power to investigate the death, subpoena information, and order an autopsy. Click here for more information about the Monroe County Coroner's office.
Coroners serve four-year terms with a salary of $31,004. They are prohibited from serving more than eight years in any twelve-year period.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview and did not submit written responses to our questions.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA
Campaign website: NA
Facebook page
League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: jleeshields@yahoo.com
The coroner is responsible for identification of the deceased, determination of the cause of death and determination of the manner of death. The coroner is considered an officer of the court with the power to investigate the death, subpoena information, and order an autopsy. Click here for more information about the Monroe County Coroner's office.
Coroners serve four-year terms with a salary of $31,004. They are prohibited from serving more than eight years in any twelve-year period.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview and did not submit written responses to our questions.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA
Campaign website: NA
Facebook page
League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: jleeshields@yahoo.com
Monroe County Treasurer
Jessica McClellan (D)
Jessica McClellan is the incumbent Monroe County treasurer, and was first elected in 2016. She previously served as the county's deputy assessor from 2014-2016, and before that was office manager for the Monroe County Commissioners.
The county treasurer is responsible for collecting taxes. In the case of delinquent taxes, the treasurer may order the sale of real property to pay delinquent taxes. The treasurer also receives distributions of local income and other taxes that are collected by the state. Click here for more information about the Monroe County Treasurer's office. This position is for a four-year term with a salary of $59,486. A treasurer may be elected to consecutive terms, but may serve no more than eight years in any twelve-year period. Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website: NA Facebook page League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page CATS Candidates On Demand video Campaign Statement of Organization Contact info: jmcclellan1978@gmail.com |
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Monroe County Surveyor
Trohn Enright-Randolph (D)
Trohn Enright-Randolph is the incumbent Monroe County Surveyor and is unchallenged on Nov. 3. He served as chief deputy surveyor from 2005-2016 before being elected in 2016 as surveyor.
The surveyor's office oversees drainage issues in the county, including stormwater management and water quality. The surveyor serves as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Bloomington Plan Commission and is a member of the Monroe County Plan Commission.
This position is for a four-year term with a salary of $47,258. There are no term limits.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview and did not submit written responses to our questions.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA
Campaign website: NA
Facebook page
League of Women Voters Vote411 page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: tenright@co.monroe.in.us
The surveyor's office oversees drainage issues in the county, including stormwater management and water quality. The surveyor serves as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Bloomington Plan Commission and is a member of the Monroe County Plan Commission.
This position is for a four-year term with a salary of $47,258. There are no term limits.
This candidate did not respond to the Chamber's request for a video interview and did not submit written responses to our questions.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA
Campaign website: NA
Facebook page
League of Women Voters Vote411 page
Campaign Statement of Organization
Contact info: tenright@co.monroe.in.us
