BLOOMINGTON - Tari Renner picked up another endorsement from city employees in his bid to become Bloomington mayor.

Renner said Tuesday the city needs new leadership after American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 699 announced they were supporting his campaign.

Eric Decossas and Renner are in a three way race to unseat Mayor Steve Stockton who is running for a second term. Decossas is a business analyst at State Farm Insurance Cos. and Stockton is a retired vice president from the Bloomington-based insurance giant.

"We can't afford four more years of Steve Stockton's hands-off approach to the budget," Renner said.

The union, which represents about 118 employees in public service, parks and recreation and the Miller Park Zoo, announced its endorsement during a press conference held at the Teamsters Hall, 407 E. Lafayette St.

"We've never done this before but we've never seen a mayoral candidate like Tari before, either," said Local 699 President Rob Oliver.

Previously, the city's police officer and firefighter unions represented by the Police Benevolent and Protective Association endorsed Renner.

Renner is a McLean County Board member and a political science professor at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Stockton said the endorsement was not a surprise in light of the budget problems the city faces and some of the employee issues on the table which include layoffs.

"As a mayor, I can't align myself with a union while we are working through some tough issues," Stockton said. "As a candidate he can make any promise he wants."

Decossas said: "That's Renner. He's a big union guy. I wouldn't be surprised if all the city unions come out in support of him."

Decossas added he is concerned that Renner's relationship with the unions will keep Renner from being more willing to reign in city spending for salaries.