Long-time Fort Wayne City Councilman Tom Didier is running for mayor of Fort Wayne as a Republican in 2023.
Didier announced his decision Friday, and said he is working with Republicans such as Rep. Jim Banks to put the party in a strong position to retake the city’s highest office.
A Democrat has held Fort Wayne’s mayor’s office since Jan. 1, 2000 when Graham Richard succeeded Republican Paul Helmke.
Democrat Tom Henry has served as the city’s mayor since 2008, having lost to Didier for the 3rd District City Council seat in 2003.
According to a press release issued Friday afternoon, Didier has served as council president, as well as serving on a number of boards and commissions as the council’s representative.
Didier, a sales representative for U.S. Foods, cannot simultaneously seek both the mayor’s office and re-election to his council seat. He will not be running for council again.
Henry has said that this, his fourth term, will be his last.
