Student members of the College Republicans of Bellarmine have invited Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf to speak on campus on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at 7 p.m. Dieruf is a Republican candidate for mayor of Louisville Metro, a race that will take place
next year.
The presentation -- which is open to Bellarmine faculty, staff, students and alumni -- takes place in the Mason Admissions Theater in Centro's McGowan Hall.
Phoenix Hanratty, a sophomore majoring in History, Political Science and German, is chair of the College Republicans of Bellarmine. He says his group invited Dieruf for the opportunity to learn from an experienced local elected official.
"We approached Mayor Dieruf because we wanted to show support for his upcoming campaign for Louisville mayor, but we also wanted to give our members an opportunity to have a personal dinner and learning experience with a seasoned local politician, so
we can learn more about the politics and administration of cities," Hanratty said. "Often when we talk about politics, we focus on the national and state levels, and local politics can be very different."
Dieruf has been Jeffersontown's mayor since 2010, serving on the city council for a decade prior to that. He served two terms as president of the Kentucky League of Cities and is the previous owner of Dieruf Hardware, the oldest continuously operating
family-owned business in the City of Jeffersontown. The business is still owned by members of his family. Jeffersontown is a city of more than 25,000 citizens located within Louisville Metro.
“I am glad to have the opportunity to share my perspectives on how Louisville Metro needs to be the kind of community where young adults want to start their careers, establish their homes and raise a family," Dieruf said. "I have successfully led
a city and know how to improve safety, attract jobs and create an inviting quality of life. As a leader, I choose to collaborate with people of all walks of life and backgrounds to accomplish what is best for our community. This is the future Louisville
Metro needs.”
Dieruf earned an accounting degree from the University of Kentucky in 1976.