By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner’s nemesis has exited the scene as Renner is sworn-in this evening for a second term, but former alderman and defeated mayoral challenger Kevin Lower is not ruling out a political comeback.

Lower says he’s open to the idea of running for office again, but supporters will have to come to him about that.

“I have a lot of things I want to do in life,” said Lower. “Elected representation wasn’t one of my goals, but it’s something I felt needed to be done. I was asked to do it. I came and I’ve tried to fulfill it to the best of my ability,” Lower also said.

Lower, who received 44 percent of the mayoral vote, said he represents a significant segment of residents who are fiscally conservative and don’t have a voice now on the city council. Lower urged Renner and alderman to reach out to those conservatives.

“They need to be aware of the fact that they need to be as representative of our community as they can, and that is a challenge,” Lower added.

New aldermen Jamie Mathy and Kimberly Bray will be sworn in with Renner.

In Normal, Mayor Chris Koos takes the oath for a fourth term even as the county clerk conducts a discovery recount in Koos’ 11 vote win over Marc Tiritilli. Council newcomer Chemberly Cummings will be sworn-in, becoming the town’s first African-American on the town council.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].