SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Mayor James Mueller will have some competition next May if he decides to seek re-election.
Portage Township trustee Jason Critchlow announced Monday that he will run for mayor.
Critchlow is a lifelong South Bend resident and says people in this city need to see more from their local government.
For Jason Critchlow, the decision to run for mayor didn't come lightly.
A born and raised South Bender, Critchlow tells ABC57 this is personal.
"I love South Bend, it's where I've invested my entire life, it's where I'm raising my kids, it's where I want them to raise their kids, and I care about this community, I care about the people in it. I love everything about South Bend, and I really feel like I have a great sense of what's going on in people's lives right now and what they need to see from government," said Critchlow.
Critchlow currently serves as the Portage Township trustee.
He said if elected, there are certain things he won't be able to do, such as bring down the cost of gas.
However, there are other things that he can do, and plans on making a priority.
"When we look at housing quality in South Bend, when we look at neighborhoods in South Bend, when we look at our relationship with South Bend Public Schools, and the cost of housing and our 311 system and how responsive we are to residents' concerns, it's really all encompassing, and the one idea is we've got to show people that local government is here to work for you, you work hard for your life, you deserve a city that works hard for you," said Critchlow.
Critchlow says a big emphasis of his campaign will be acknowledging the past but also keeping the focus on the future, and what still needs to be accomplished.
"I don't think we're doing a good job of meeting people where they are, when residents refer to 311 as a black hole, when they feel like their city services are inaccessible, when they feel like they're not getting a response, when I have people tell me in the city that residents can't expect to get an email back from us within three days, that's a problem," said Critchlow.
Mayor Mueller's office released a statement to ABC57 today saying "I'm focused on the work in front of us and electing democrats this November. I'll have more to say about 2027 after the midterm elections."