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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowEditor’s note: On Wednesday, Oct. 10, a day after this story was published, the Indy Chamber formerly endorsed Joe Hogsett for Indianapolis mayor.
Original story:
The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce’s political advocacy arm has voted to endorse Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett in his run for reelection against Republican Jefferson Shreve, the Shreve campaign confirmed to IBJ on Monday.
The endorsement was first reported by Adam Wren’s Importantville. The Indy Chamber will officially announce endorsements for candidates in the Indianapolis mayor’s race and others Tuesday.
Candidates are selected by the chamber’s 19-member Business Advocacy Committee, or BAC. The members cast their votes Friday.
It’s the third time the chamber committee has voted to endorse the incumbent mayor.
Chip Garver, a co-chair of the BAC, declined to comment. He said the official announcement would be Tuesday.
Adam Burtner, vice president of government affairs for the chamber, did not respond to an IBJ request for comment in time for publication.
Hogsett campaign spokesperson Blake Hesch declined to comment. The campaign will likely have a response after the official announcement Tuesday, he said.
The Shreve campaign responded to news of the endorsement in a statement.
“Joe Hogsett controls $1.3 [million] in funding to the Chamber and Develop Indy. Endorsements are a political game,” Matt Organ, campaign manager, wrote. “Jefferson looks forward to working with the business community by providing much stronger leadership and support than they have received in the last eight years under Joe Hogsett.”
The chamber has historically favored incumbents. It endorsed then-incumbent Mayor Bart Peterson, a Democrat, when he sought a third term. Peterson was defeated by Republican Greg Ballard, whom the chamber then endorsed in his reelection bid.
The chamber has 2,000 members and its board of directors represents 120 businesses across the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
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Sooooo, the Indy Chamber endorses a failed Mayor?
What’s the appeal, unlimited murders? Continued high crime?
Ohhh I see, Hogsett gonna make sure the Indiana General Assembly reversed course and enshrines the slaughter of more black babies in the womb!
Now it makes sense!
Anyone who endorses Hogsett is out of touch. He is a complete idiot. Dude can’t even take his trash out without being so drunk he hurt himself. If anyone thinks Hogsett is a good fit to remain mayor I have no words for you.
Thank you for your thoughtful analysis. Are you really angry at Hogsett, or are you mad that the Republicans couldn’t field a serious candidate, or run a competent campaign?
I’m not angry at anyone. I just think you should get the best person for the job. Hogsett is not a good mayor or a good person at all.
I thought Indy Chamber’s mission was to support the business community. Clearly I am mistaken..
Indy Chamber – this is ridiculous – So much for supporting a self made business man out of political fear. Hogsett is a joke – ruined downtown. Membership will suffer!
Pure politics on the Chamber’s endorsement, can’t bite the hand that feeds you.
We really need to go back to 2 term limits again.
“go back to”? We were never there.
It is embarrassing that these are the best candidates we can find… Raise the salary to 225k and we will resolve this problem overnight…
Chip and Adam are so confident in their endorsement declined to comment.
There is not one self driven business leader that is behind Boss Hogsett.
The guy can barely walk down his driveway, let alone deal with all the crime, or even a simple pothole.
And what’s even more disgusting is watching him hug little kids on the TV like he’s the Pope and going to save downtown.
Frankie, I think we’ve had a breakthrough. First time we are in total agreement. Let’s not make a habit of this.
200 + murders 3 years in a row has to be appealing to out of state businesses!
For the Win,,, Again.
Wow…what a disappointment. Any confidence I had in the Indy Chamber just ended. For them to think a change of leadership is not necessary is beyond reason.
More important to note how any remote positive for IBJ’s chosen candidate, generates an immediate positive headline. Contrast that to their “coverage” of say, Pence
IBJ, remember a few months ago when your hero, Andre joined the 8 person lunatic fringe of the Democrat party with his anti Israel vote and you and the rest of the “journalists” buried the story?
Maybe now would be a good time to get an update from Saint Andre? What’s the death count up to? 1500? Would it be useful for your readers to know what their congressional rep thinks of Hamas and Israel today?
Nah, you’re right. Gotta protect the brand
Classic Indy Chamber move…let’s be woke and endorse a worthless and incompetent person just because!