Mayoralty of Joe Kernan

Joe Kernan, a member of the Democratic Party, served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from January 1988 until January 1997. He was elected to three consecutive terms as mayor as the Democratic nominee in the 1987, 1991 and 1995 mayoral elections. The first mayor since 1905 to win a third term, Kernan's nine year tenure exceeded all previous South Bend mayoral tenures in length. He remains the city's second-longest serving mayor, with his tenure only surpassed in length by the fifteen-year tenure of his immediate successor, Steve Luecke.

Kernan was regarded to a be a popular mayor, and his third re-election saw him secure a record vote share among South Bend mayors. He earned praise for his ability to attract major developments to the city, shuch as the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also credited for his efforts to disrupt the city's pattern of job loss, both working to bring new jobs to the city and prevent the loss of existing jobs.

In November 1996, Kernan was elected lieutenant governor of Indiana. He left the mayoralty in January 1997 in order to assume that office. He played an active role in the selection process for his mayoral successor, which resulted in the appointment of Luecke. Kernan later served as governor of Indiana (2003–05).