DeKALB – The former executive director of Re:New DeKalb is the third candidate to announce running for DeKalb’s mayor.

Jennifer Groce, a research associate at Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies, will run against John Rey, a retired Ag/Monsanto employee, and Mike Verbic, a member of the DeKalb School District 428 Board.

Groce said her work as NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies would complement the work and knowledge the mayor of a city is expected to have. She said she would work toward enhancing partnerships between the city of DeKalb and other agencies, including NIU.