This page provides information about candidates running for Monroe County Commissioner on Primary Election Day, May 7th. By Indiana law, a county's Board of Commissioners has three members that represent different geographic districts of where they reside. Their constituency is not limited to their district. Voters within the entire county are able to elect a county commissioner no matter the district.
For 2024, Districts 2 and 3 are up for election. The incumbent for District 2 is Democrat Julie Thomas who will run against County Councilor Peter Iversen (D). There are no Republican candidates for this seat. The incumbent for District 3 is Democrat Penny Githens. In the primary, Commissioner Githens will face off against Steve Volan and Jody Madeira. The Republican primary for District 3 is also contested with Paul White Sr. running against Joe Van Deventer. |
County Commissioner District 2
Candidate: Peter Iversen (D)
Peter is a Monroe County resident who cares deeply about this county and has served on the County Council since 2019. He is a proud alumnus of Indiana University, earning a master’s degree in public affairs from the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Peter grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where his father worked in a local factory. His dad never attended college, but the union guaranteed a safe, dignified job with a pension, instilling in Peter a deep commitment to supporting unions. Peter’s mother was an elementary school teacher who specialized in supporting those with reading differences. Her giving spirit taught Peter the value of community service and inspired him to spend his time serving and advocating for others. Peter enjoys playing soccer and loves riding bikes with his wife, Leah. They can often be found biking to get ice cream with their two daughters, aged 8 and 5.
Link to campaign website
Link to campaign Facebook page
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: Economic development means that Monroe County Commissioners have a plan to offer prosperity for all residents. We can measure this success using established metrics of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) including, “above-average wages, high-skill jobs, diversified economic sectors, and adequate tax revenues”. I incorporated this into my thinking earlier this year when I attended the IEDA conference with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).
Sadly, the current County Commissioners have a track record of voting against the BEDC contract and the prosperity that could bring Monroe County. It is time for a change, and I have a plan.
As County Commissioner, I will advocate for prosperity for all of Monroe County. I will vote to fully fund the BEDC contract. I will also work collaboratively with them and community organizations and businesses to recruit jobs to our community, including the emerging corridor connecting the existing assets of Crane Naval Base with the Monroe County Airport, Cook Medical, Indiana University, Ivy Tech, and much more. Lastly, the intersectionality of increased housing inventory, ensuring equity and climate action are all included in my vision for Monroe County at http://PeterIversen.org/issues.
Link to campaign website
Link to campaign Facebook page
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: Economic development means that Monroe County Commissioners have a plan to offer prosperity for all residents. We can measure this success using established metrics of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) including, “above-average wages, high-skill jobs, diversified economic sectors, and adequate tax revenues”. I incorporated this into my thinking earlier this year when I attended the IEDA conference with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).
Sadly, the current County Commissioners have a track record of voting against the BEDC contract and the prosperity that could bring Monroe County. It is time for a change, and I have a plan.
As County Commissioner, I will advocate for prosperity for all of Monroe County. I will vote to fully fund the BEDC contract. I will also work collaboratively with them and community organizations and businesses to recruit jobs to our community, including the emerging corridor connecting the existing assets of Crane Naval Base with the Monroe County Airport, Cook Medical, Indiana University, Ivy Tech, and much more. Lastly, the intersectionality of increased housing inventory, ensuring equity and climate action are all included in my vision for Monroe County at http://PeterIversen.org/issues.
Candidate: Julie Thomas (D) (i) - WINNER
Commissioner Thomas has served as Monroe County Commissioner since December 2012, following a four-year term on the Monroe County Council (at-large). In her tenure on the Board of Commissioners, Dr. Thomas's key initiatives have included: energy efficiency, engaging Monroe County residents, and managing resources wisely. Julie is an educator (IUPUI, Southern New Hampshire University, and Franklin College) and an active volunteer in the community, currently at Planned Parenthood and Middle Way House. Julie serves as the Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Women's Caucus. She earned five degrees including a Ph.D. in Russian History from IU Bloomington. Julie has lived in Monroe County since 1993.
Link to campaign website
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: Economic development ensures the economic vitality of our entire community and our local economy relies on sound investments.
During the pandemic, we utilized county Food and Beverage tax funds to provide grants (not loans) to small businesses in our area – to ensure that they would continue to thrive after the pandemic. I supported the development of Profile Parkway (a brownfield redevelopment site) to provide space for industrial and commercial development. In addition, I voted in support of the tax abatement for NHanced Semiconductor, which will bring high-paying jobs into our community. One of the largest needs in our community is for childcare services. Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funding, I supported a $1.2 M investment in providing childcare for the community’s workforce. Other infrastructure investments I have championed have also played a role in economic development – the broadband challenge, paving and drainage, rural housing repair, and protecting our drinking water supply. I have supported a diverse range of housing options, but without sewer access from the city, our opportunities will be limited for a time.
County Commissioner District 3
Candidate: Penny Githens (D) (i)
Commissioner Githens grew up in Richmond, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue University in 1972 with a degree in Chemistry & Math Education, Penny served in the Peace Corps for 2 years. She later attended IU, earning a masters in Educational Psychology. Penny's career has led her to hold positions at: Yale & Vanderbilt Universities, the Wharton School of Business, & IU. Penny has been a Monroe County Commissioner for almost 5 years. Penny has been active in autism advocacy for decades, has volunteered as an educational advocate with IN*SOURCE, has been an active member of several Democratic organizations in Monroe County and is the past chair of the Monroe County Democratic Women's Caucus. Penny is also an avid supporter of Hoosier Hills Food Bank and Pantry 279.
Penny and her husband, Ed Buffie, have two sons, Nathan and Nick.
Link to campaign website
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: The main objective of economic development should be to attract private businesses that pay a living wage - plus something - to the working class. In my opinion, paying a living wage is a minimal objective. We should aim for a secure, comfortable standard of living for everyone, not just the middle class. Local governments can support this effort with good infrastructure, good schools, public health and safety, parks, and other amenities which add to the quality of life. Local governments can also help or hinder attracting private businesses with their zoning, ease of permitting, and tax incentives. Monroe County Government contributes to economic development through its financial support of the BEDC, using ARPA funds to expand childcare opportunities, providing support to Habitat for Humanity, offering tax incentives to companies like NHanced, maintaining our roads and bridges, working to expand broadband, and streamlining our planning and permitting process for building. Looking ahead, we hope to secure a Regional Opportunity Initiatives grant to build a new terminal and make improvements at our airport. Economic Development isn’t just about what we have done and are doing, it’s about always looking to improve as we plan for the future.
Penny and her husband, Ed Buffie, have two sons, Nathan and Nick.
Link to campaign website
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: The main objective of economic development should be to attract private businesses that pay a living wage - plus something - to the working class. In my opinion, paying a living wage is a minimal objective. We should aim for a secure, comfortable standard of living for everyone, not just the middle class. Local governments can support this effort with good infrastructure, good schools, public health and safety, parks, and other amenities which add to the quality of life. Local governments can also help or hinder attracting private businesses with their zoning, ease of permitting, and tax incentives. Monroe County Government contributes to economic development through its financial support of the BEDC, using ARPA funds to expand childcare opportunities, providing support to Habitat for Humanity, offering tax incentives to companies like NHanced, maintaining our roads and bridges, working to expand broadband, and streamlining our planning and permitting process for building. Looking ahead, we hope to secure a Regional Opportunity Initiatives grant to build a new terminal and make improvements at our airport. Economic Development isn’t just about what we have done and are doing, it’s about always looking to improve as we plan for the future.
Candidate: Jody Madeira (D) - WINNER
Professor Madeira joined the Indiana Law faculty in 2007. She is an internationally recognized expert in fertility fraud, bioethics, and law and medicine, with a focus on reproductive endocrinology. Her research has received profiled in national and international media, including the Netflix documentary “Our Father” (2022) to TED to investigative news programs like “20/20” (2019). Her research interests involve empirical research; the role of emotion in law; the sociology of law; law, medicine, and bioethics; and the Second Amendment.
Link to campaign page
Link to campaign Facebook page
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county council candidate?
Answer: As a county commissioner (“CC”) candidate, economic development (“ED”) means collaborating with individuals and organizations to cultivate a community with thriving businesses, ample job opportunities, community partnerships, and quality-of-life/community well-being. ED is accomplished through strategic planning, communication, and transparency. Priorities are a chicken-and-egg question; everything is needed simultaneously.
Growing jobs requires supporting local businesses, attracting new industries, building workforce housing, and investing in workforce development programs with IvyTech and IU to ensure skilled labor.
Growing infrastructure means expanding transportation, broadband access, communication technologies, and utility access (sewer).
Growing business facilitates local businesses, entrepreneurship, and innovation by streamlining regulations and offering financing/technical assistance.
Growing community ensures ED benefits all, remedying socio-economic disparities, promoting affordable/diverse housing, and enhancing quality-of-life through healthcare, education, and recreation.
Growing sustainability involves managing growth’s environmental impacts, promoting renewable energy, conservation, and environmentally responsible practices.
Growing regional collaboration is critical; ED isn’t an isolated phenomenon; collaboration with neighboring communities, businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits is critical for growing together, increasing the collective ED impact.
We need to ensure Monroe County’s economy is vibrant, creative, and resilient to improving all residents’ standard-of-living, while retaining its unique character.
Link to campaign page
Link to campaign Facebook page
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county council candidate?
Answer: As a county commissioner (“CC”) candidate, economic development (“ED”) means collaborating with individuals and organizations to cultivate a community with thriving businesses, ample job opportunities, community partnerships, and quality-of-life/community well-being. ED is accomplished through strategic planning, communication, and transparency. Priorities are a chicken-and-egg question; everything is needed simultaneously.
Growing jobs requires supporting local businesses, attracting new industries, building workforce housing, and investing in workforce development programs with IvyTech and IU to ensure skilled labor.
Growing infrastructure means expanding transportation, broadband access, communication technologies, and utility access (sewer).
Growing business facilitates local businesses, entrepreneurship, and innovation by streamlining regulations and offering financing/technical assistance.
Growing community ensures ED benefits all, remedying socio-economic disparities, promoting affordable/diverse housing, and enhancing quality-of-life through healthcare, education, and recreation.
Growing sustainability involves managing growth’s environmental impacts, promoting renewable energy, conservation, and environmentally responsible practices.
Growing regional collaboration is critical; ED isn’t an isolated phenomenon; collaboration with neighboring communities, businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits is critical for growing together, increasing the collective ED impact.
We need to ensure Monroe County’s economy is vibrant, creative, and resilient to improving all residents’ standard-of-living, while retaining its unique character.
Candidate: Steve Volan (D)
Steve represented District Six (central Bloomington) for 20 years on the Bloomington City Council. Late in 2022, the city’s new Redistricting Commission, which was created by an ordinance he authored in 2020, zoned his house out of District Six. In his capacity as councilmember, he served on the board of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District for 14 years. More recently he served on the Policy Committee of the Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization, including as chair in 2022 and vice-chair in 2023.
Link to campaign page
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: In 2024, in Monroe County, economic development does not mean bringing more jobs to the community. It means making the community more affordable for everyone. High housing prices and low housing availability are making it harder to recruit people to take the jobs we have. Wages aren’t increasing as fast as costs of living are. When people are spending up to 50% of their income on housing alone, that’s a crisis.
The community needs to permit more housing at every level. The community needs to enable less expensive means of getting to and from that housing. Housing that’s denser and more compactly built is much easier to serve by bus than housing that’s spread out. Smaller units on smaller lots with less land devoted to car storage are more affordable housing. More transit everywhere, more frequently, lowers the average person’s transportation expenses.
Certainty in county government decisions also lowers costs. But the government also has to plan for a lower-carbon-footprint future. Making new housing much denser achieves all these goals. The county needs to focus more on a decisive plan that focuses on reducing the costs of housing through density, transit, and smaller units. That will do more to boost economic development than any new job program.
Link to campaign page
Chamber Question: What does economic development mean to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: In 2024, in Monroe County, economic development does not mean bringing more jobs to the community. It means making the community more affordable for everyone. High housing prices and low housing availability are making it harder to recruit people to take the jobs we have. Wages aren’t increasing as fast as costs of living are. When people are spending up to 50% of their income on housing alone, that’s a crisis.
The community needs to permit more housing at every level. The community needs to enable less expensive means of getting to and from that housing. Housing that’s denser and more compactly built is much easier to serve by bus than housing that’s spread out. Smaller units on smaller lots with less land devoted to car storage are more affordable housing. More transit everywhere, more frequently, lowers the average person’s transportation expenses.
Certainty in county government decisions also lowers costs. But the government also has to plan for a lower-carbon-footprint future. Making new housing much denser achieves all these goals. The county needs to focus more on a decisive plan that focuses on reducing the costs of housing through density, transit, and smaller units. That will do more to boost economic development than any new job program.
Candidate: Paul White Sr. (R)
Paul White Sr. is a bus driver for Rural Transit. His previous experience includes: assistant pastor, architectural designer, and map maker for oil & gas exploration companies as well as the Bureau of Land Management. Previous civic experience includes: volunteering & coaching with Monroe County Special Olympics; serving on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County; the Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission; and the Monroe County Traffic Commission.
Link to Facebook page
Chamber Question: What does economic development look like to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: My vision is an environment that promotes health for the EARTH and BUSINESS, thereby creating new revenue streams that broaden the county’s tax base and reduces the tax burden on the individual. For this to happen, we must revisit the restrictions that have been placed upon building considerations such as: land slope, density, zoning, even the subdividing of land.
Changing focus from complexes that rent at $1400/bedroom per month to AFFORDABLE housing (30% income) would go a long way in relieving homelessness in Monroe County. I encourage the use of Habitat for Humanity with this endeavor. Home ownership helps to deliver stability for human life. The more that we can get people into home ownership, the more section 8 type housing becomes available for those that have no place to call their home. By getting people into a good shelter, our health care and case workers should be better able to do their jobs.
Entry level jobs that pay small salaries are a necessary part of our economy. Somewhere along the way, those who clamor for $20/hr entry level jobs have lost their economic balances. Those practices are destabilizing and fueling inflation enormously. Lets keep the entry level jobs and let our young people learn how to live in a work environment and provide upward mobility to retain them. As more knowledge and ability is gained, the monetary compensation should follow.
To get businesses to locate in Monroe County, we must provide a business friendly community. Writing fines to a business for having an outdoor display, is simply ludicrous. Businesses need to attract people into their shops. Signage and displays are a method of doing just that, so again revisiting those ordinances is in order. Tax abatements might be needed for some, but never unending.
Currently, we have infrastructure growth that we see daily, given all the detours and road construction, all are costly. As our community gets larger, these improvements will continue to better serve all and give us a better quality of life.
Does this mirror the current model, it’s doubtful, however, it’s a fresh look.
Link to Facebook page
Chamber Question: What does economic development look like to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: My vision is an environment that promotes health for the EARTH and BUSINESS, thereby creating new revenue streams that broaden the county’s tax base and reduces the tax burden on the individual. For this to happen, we must revisit the restrictions that have been placed upon building considerations such as: land slope, density, zoning, even the subdividing of land.
Changing focus from complexes that rent at $1400/bedroom per month to AFFORDABLE housing (30% income) would go a long way in relieving homelessness in Monroe County. I encourage the use of Habitat for Humanity with this endeavor. Home ownership helps to deliver stability for human life. The more that we can get people into home ownership, the more section 8 type housing becomes available for those that have no place to call their home. By getting people into a good shelter, our health care and case workers should be better able to do their jobs.
Entry level jobs that pay small salaries are a necessary part of our economy. Somewhere along the way, those who clamor for $20/hr entry level jobs have lost their economic balances. Those practices are destabilizing and fueling inflation enormously. Lets keep the entry level jobs and let our young people learn how to live in a work environment and provide upward mobility to retain them. As more knowledge and ability is gained, the monetary compensation should follow.
To get businesses to locate in Monroe County, we must provide a business friendly community. Writing fines to a business for having an outdoor display, is simply ludicrous. Businesses need to attract people into their shops. Signage and displays are a method of doing just that, so again revisiting those ordinances is in order. Tax abatements might be needed for some, but never unending.
Currently, we have infrastructure growth that we see daily, given all the detours and road construction, all are costly. As our community gets larger, these improvements will continue to better serve all and give us a better quality of life.
Does this mirror the current model, it’s doubtful, however, it’s a fresh look.
Candidate: Joe VanDeventer (R)- WINNER
Joe VanDeventer is a lifelong Monroe County resident and a graduate of the Bloomington High School North class of 1984. He has made a career in public service working for both the Monroe County Highway Department and the Bloomington Street Department. Joe currently serves as the Assistant Public Works Director and the Director of Street Operations for the City of Bloomington where he manages grant writing, budget creation and execution, daily operations, and long-term planning.
Joe and his wife Kathy have been married for 38 years. Together they have raised four children who attended MCCSC schools from kindergarten to graduation. Joe spent four years coaching football at Tri-North Middle School. In the Monroe County 4-H program Joe volunteered for twenty years as a club leader and served on the 4-H Board of Directors for six years. Joe also currently serves on the Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Chamber Question: What does economic development look like to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: We should promote Monroe County's access to important local transportation networks. Both I-69 and the Monroe County airport can provide substantial economic development opportunities in a wide range of national industry sectors. Lafayette and West Lafayette are doing this right now and I think we should learn from their programs as we implement our own. Our geographic location and existing infrastructure make Monroe County very marketable both within the Midwest and beyond. Better promotion and enhancement of these valuable resources can help set us apart as a great community for residents, visitors, and industry.
Citizens often have a pre-conceived idea of industrial factories and dirty smokestacks from a bygone era. Fortunately, the manufacturing environment has evolved to be much different in the 21st century. Modern industry has access to innovative technologies that allow for clean operation. Monroe County should welcome industries that will employ people from many different skilled trades and backgrounds and provide opportunities for our citizens that do not have advanced degrees to find rewarding careers. Having employers that can provide good careers will not only improve Monroe County's economy but will also help keep local people involved in our community rather than relocating in pursuit of employment.
Joe and his wife Kathy have been married for 38 years. Together they have raised four children who attended MCCSC schools from kindergarten to graduation. Joe spent four years coaching football at Tri-North Middle School. In the Monroe County 4-H program Joe volunteered for twenty years as a club leader and served on the 4-H Board of Directors for six years. Joe also currently serves on the Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Chamber Question: What does economic development look like to you as a county commissioner candidate?
Answer: We should promote Monroe County's access to important local transportation networks. Both I-69 and the Monroe County airport can provide substantial economic development opportunities in a wide range of national industry sectors. Lafayette and West Lafayette are doing this right now and I think we should learn from their programs as we implement our own. Our geographic location and existing infrastructure make Monroe County very marketable both within the Midwest and beyond. Better promotion and enhancement of these valuable resources can help set us apart as a great community for residents, visitors, and industry.
Citizens often have a pre-conceived idea of industrial factories and dirty smokestacks from a bygone era. Fortunately, the manufacturing environment has evolved to be much different in the 21st century. Modern industry has access to innovative technologies that allow for clean operation. Monroe County should welcome industries that will employ people from many different skilled trades and backgrounds and provide opportunities for our citizens that do not have advanced degrees to find rewarding careers. Having employers that can provide good careers will not only improve Monroe County's economy but will also help keep local people involved in our community rather than relocating in pursuit of employment.