Former Bloomington mayor weighs candidacy for newly-drawn Illinois House seat

Posted on June 21, 2021

*Tari Renner, who is 63, is a long time political science professor at Illinois Wesleyan University. (Facebook/Tari Renner)*

BLOOMINGTON – Now that Tari Renner is no longer Bloomington’s mayor, he’s considering a run for the Illinois legislature.

Renner told Heart of Illinois-ABC he’s deciding whether he’ll run as a Democrat next year for the newly-drawn 91st Legislative District seat, which includes a large portion of Bloomington-Normal. The district also covers Carlock, Goodfield, East Peoria, and the southern part of Washington.

The new 91st District would be an open seat with no incumbent, according to Renner.

He said it’s “really early” in the process because the primary is still a year away, and his decision-making has included talking to other potential candidates.

Renner believes his eight years as mayor of a metropolitan-sized city like Bloomington would be an advantage if he were to serve in the General Assembly.

Renner, who is 63, is a long time political science professor at Illinois Wesleyan University.

He also served as a Democrat on the McLean County Board from 1998 to 2010. Renner noted he worked closely on the board with Republican Adam Kinzinger, who moved away from the Twin-Cities and has since become a high-profile member of the U.S. Congress.

Renner did not run this year for a third term as Bloomington’s mayor.

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