Today, Fort Wayne City Councilman Tom Didier announced he will run for the office of Fort Wayne Mayor in the 2023 Primary Election.
News release for the event:
Tom Didier Announces Campaign for Fort Wayne Mayor
Campaign Focus will be on Placing Fort Wayne FirstFort Wayne, Indiana (May 7, 2021) – Fort Wayne City Councilman Tom Didier announced he is running for the Republican nomination to be Fort Wayne’s next mayor on Friday, May 7. He was joined by his wife Mary, daughters Paige and Lauren, and grandson Colton with a supportive crowd of friends and family at the Fort Wayne Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 124 Union Hall on Broadway for the announcement. His son Paulie was not able to attend.
Didier is a Fort Wayne institution. He was born in Fort Wayne, raised on the north side, attended elementary school in downtown Fort Wayne, worked at his dad’s shop on Pettit Avenue, graduated from Bishop Dwenger and raised his family in northwest Fort Wayne. An accomplished sales professional working with the local restaurant industry, Didier knows first-hand the challenges local businesses face. He is ready to apply the problem solving skills he’s developed after decades in the private sector and seventeen years on city council to help Fort Wayne meet the challenges ahead.
Regarding his announcement, Didier said, “I’m running for mayor because I believe I’m the best qualified person to put Fort Wayne first. My focus will be on how we can move the entire community forward – unleashing job creators so businesses can grow and thrive while making sure the needs of every neighborhood is being met so our city can move forward together”
He has put together a team of supporters working to ensure that Republicans have a fighting chance to retake the mayor’s office. He’s working with community leaders and area politicians and officeholders like Congressman Jim Banks and his city council colleague Tom Freistroffer to make sure Didier is in a strong position to mount a campaign for this office in 2023.
Didier is a sales representative for U.S. Foods for 31 years and has been working with local restaurants and other food service establishments since he was a young man. He was elected to represent the northwestern portions of Fort Wayne on City Council in 2003, defeating then-City Councilman Tom Henry. He has been elected president of the City Council four times and been the city council’s representative on several boards and commissions. He is also an accomplished singer called on to share his talents at community and civic events around Fort Wayne.
During his time on city council Didier cast the deciding vote on the Harrison Square project which led to the development of Parkview Field. More recently he challenged the City of Fort Wayne administration to live up to its agreements with private development partners who were working on the Electric Works development just southwest of downtown. He is a passionate and tireless advocate for neighborhoods in northeast Fort Wayne and is looking forward to this opportunity to do the same and put all of Fort Wayne first.
Didier said, “Nothing in life comes easy, but Fort Wayne has never grown by taking the easy path but by accepting the more challenging route and tackling it head-on.” Didier continues, “I’m ready for this challenge and I’m excited to have so many people joining me on this campaign!”
As a consequence of his decision to run for mayor, Didier has amended his campaign finance committee’s organization to reflect that change. Filing to officially run for the Republican nomination for Fort Wayne mayor does not open until January 2023. As he may not simultaneously run for both the nomination for Fort Wayne’s 3rd District City Council seat and mayor, he will not be running for reelection to the seat he’s held on city council.
Indiana’s next municipal primary elections are scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The general election for municipal candidates receiving their party’s nomination is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
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