James Mueller (Indiana politician)
James Mueller (born June 29, 1982) is an American politician and academic serving as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana since 2020. Prior to being elected mayor, Mueller held positions within the administration of his predecessor Pete Buttigieg.
James Mueller | |
|---|---|
Mueller in 2016 | |
| 33rd Mayor of South Bend | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Pete Buttigieg |
| Director of Community Investment for South Bend, Indiana | |
| In office April 2017 – June 2019 | |
| Mayor | Pete Buttigieg |
| Preceded by | Scott Ford |
| Succeeded by | Santiago Garces |
| Chief of Staff to the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana | |
| In office July 2015 – April 2017 | |
| Mayor | Pete Buttigieg |
| Preceded by | Kathryn Roos |
| Succeeded by | Laura O'Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 29, 1982 South Bend, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Kellye Mitros (m. 2020) |
| Education | University of Notre Dame (BA, BS) University of Delaware (PhD) |
| Signature | |
| Website | |
Mueller won the Democratic nomination in a crowded primary and went on to defeat a Republican opponent in the 2019 South Bend mayoral election. In both his primary and general election campaign, Mueller proposed continuing what he regarded to be positive progress made under Buttigieg, whose endorsement he carried. He was reelected by a wider margin in 2023.
His tenure as mayor included the COVID-19 pandemic, and he collaborated with St. Joseph County to respond to the pandemic. His mayoralty has also seen him address homelessness in the city. He has also overseen efforts to reform the South Bend Police Department, including an update to the police department's use of force policy.