Mayor Buttigieg endorses Kareemah Fowler for City Clerk

Mayor Pete Buttigieg made his first political endorsement in this year's city elections.

Kareemah Fowler, current Chief Deputy Clerk, gained Mayor Buttigieg's support for City Clerk, Monday during a press conference at the St. Joseph County Democratic Party headquarters.

“Too often in recent years we've had a lot of distractions that have taken focus away from the great potential that our community has,” said Mayor Buttigieg. “That's why it's so important in this office to have somebody who is open, who is trustworthy, who is friendly and who is great at bringing people together and that's someone like Kareemah Fowler.”

Fowler announced her candidacy for the position in November.

Current City Clerk John Voorde gave Fowler his endorsement shortly after announcing her campaign run.

Voorde will not seek re-election, but will instead run for South Bend's Common Council.

“I've worked in the City Clerk's office for five years and with your support, I will continue to work in that capacity,” said Fowler during the press event.

Fowler was named Chief Deputy Clerk in January 2014.

She had previously worked as a Bureau Clerk and City Council Secretary.

“I've worked very hard in the Clerk's office to make changes with our recording system,” said Fowler. “I think moving forward you're going to see a lot of changes in terms of minutes and everything else.”

Prior to working for the office, she was a compliance officer for nine years.

Meanwhile, Fowler's opponent Derek Dieter spent the afternoon going to door to door for support.

In between planting signs in his supporter's yards, he told the press he's unbothered by the mayor's endorsement.

He says earning the voters support is his priority.

“The only endorsements I am seeking are the people on these streets in South Bend,” said Dieter

Dieter currently sits on the South Bend Common Council.

Both candidates say they did not seek the mayor's endorsement and the mayor acted on his own.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 5. Early voting in person at the County-City Building in South Bend starts Monday, April 6.