1987 South Bend, Indiana mayoral election

Joe Kernan prevailed over several candidates in the Democratic primary.[3] Kernan had previously served as City Compttroller from 1980 to 1984.[4]

Kernan's opponents were James A. Guy II, R. McAlister Ellis Jr., Richard D. Jasinki, and Lester Johnson.[5] The race, however, was mainly seen as being between Kernan and Jasinki.[6] Jasinki was an incumbent county commissioner.[6] The race between the two was ultimately divisive.[1]

During the race, Kernan distanced himself from incumbent mayor Roger Parent, who he had served under as comptroller during Parent's first term as mayor.[6] When asked about Parent at a forum he declared that if elected, "it's going to be Joe Kernan's administration."[6] He said he would not include Parent in his administration.[6] He declared that the controversial baseball stadium project that was pushed by Parent as problematic, but stated that, now that it was built, the city needed to make the best use of the stadium rather than, "sulk and pout about it for 20 years."[6]

Jasinki promised that if he was elected, he would present, "a complete change," while arguing that Kernan would present, "four more years of the same government."[6]

Jasinki opposed further privatizing city services, while Kernan did not take a firm stance on the issue.[6]

Kernan won the primary with 51% of the vote.[7]

Carl Baxmeyer, a city planner,[8] won the Republican nomination, defeating opponents Mike Waite and William C.A. Rose Jr.[3][5][9][10] Waite was businessman who had never held public office,[10] and had been original opponent of the stadium.[3] Waite had informally withdrawn from the race after his ex-wife was murdered.[10]