Local teacher announces run for Bloomington City Council

Posted on June 30, 2020
Patrick Lawler, 35, teaches U.S. History and Psychology at Normal Community High School. (Facebook/Lawler for Ward 5)

 

By Neil Doyle and HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A local teacher will enter the race for Ward 5 on the Bloomington City Council.

Patrick Lawler, a social studies teacher at Normal Community High School, is running for election for the first time. He announced his intentions Monday on a campaign Facebook page.

Lawler said a major reason for his decision to run is to support youth in the community as they step up to be agents of change. He told our news partner HOI ABC incumbent Joni Painter’s statements criticizing the local chapter of Black Lives Matter indicates a leadership change is needed in Ward 5.

Painter said she planned on not running again, “but council dynamics have gotten so interesting, now I’m reconsidering.”

Ward 5 covers north-central Bloomington near Veterans Parkway.

The municipal election is April 6, 2021. Voters will choose council members in five city wards and they’ll also vote for mayor.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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