GARY, Ind., May 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After launching a vigorous grassroots campaign asking Gary, Indiana voters to “Reimagine Gary,” Jerome Prince successfully unseated incumbent Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson following the Democratic Party Primary Elections on Tuesday, May 7. Prince won 48% of the vote compared to Freeman-Wilson’s 37%.
“The people of Gary have spoken,” said Prince. “They want solutions, and they want action. The message from voters is loud and clear. It’s time to strive for a better way of life and to ‘Reimagine Gary.’ My goals are to bring back jobs and economic development, strengthen our infrastructure, fight crime and poverty, and champion the rights of every citizen.”
The Prince campaign latched onto five key issues that resonated with voters:
1. Public safety (Police and Fire)
2. Mismanagement of city resources and revenues
3. City properties that violate code enforcement laws/standards
4. Poorly performing schools
5. Lack of assessed valuation
A former city councilman from 2000 to 2008, Prince managed to stand out in a very crowded race of candidates. He is well known in Gary as a former Gary representative on the Lake County Council from 2008 to 2014 and boss of the city's Democratic Party since 2016. He currently oversees the setting of real estate values for taxing purposes for about 240,000 parcels across the county.
Seven other candidates also ran in the Democratic primary: Councilwoman LaVetta Sparks-Wade, Kerry Rice Sr, Eddie Tarver Jr, Mildred Alcorn, Carl Jones, Joe White, and James McKnight II.
“I’m excited for myself, family and our residents," Prince told reporters with the Northwest Indiana Times. "I think they were looking for new direction, and the numbers have proven out we were right. The challenge is to bring that to them. I’ve got a big job ahead of me. I think I’m up for the challenge. I’m going to assemble the right group of like-minded folks around me and keep the politics as far away from the business end of this as possible. I think I’ve proven in 20 years I can do that and still be effective."
Prince currently faces no opponent in the Nov. 5 general election.
For More Information Contact:
Taroue Brooks
Taroue.brooks@yahoo.com
202-431-1119