Joe Hogsett sails to re-election as Indianapolis mayor
The 62-year-old former federal prosecutor had a huge lead over Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt and Libertarian Doug McNaughton in the election on Tuesday.
The 62-year-old former federal prosecutor had a huge lead over Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt and Libertarian Doug McNaughton in the election on Tuesday.
IBJ talked with incumbent Democrat Joe Hogsett and his Republican challenger, Jim Merritt, about why they’re running for mayor, what they’ve learned about themselves in the process and how they’ll tackle crime, neighborhood development, crime and more.
The area that includes the Fletcher Place neighborhood and the southeast corner of downtown is one of the hottest parts of Indianapolis, yet it’s included in a federal program designed to spur investments in poor neighborhoods.
So far for the 2019 election, 6,158 voters have cast ballots in person, which is higher than how many people voted early in person at the same point in 2015 and 2011.
Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett says if he’s elected to serve a second term, he hopes “that prosperity can be shared by more people in Marion County than has been the case in the past.”
Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt says his campaign for mayor has taken him to places and introduced him to people in the city he never knew before—an experience he wants to continue if he’s elected.
Talking with people, he said, is key to finding solutions to difficult problems.
Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt, Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett and Libertarian Douglas McNaughton specifically addressed the eminent domain issue at Monday night’s Indianapolis mayoral debate.
According to the poll, conducted by Mason Strategies for Indy Politics, 57% of voters say they would vote for Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett while only 23% say they would vote for Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt.
He helped build Indianapolis-based MacAllister Machinery Co. into a regional powerhouse and worked behind the scenes during the city’s resurgence beginning in the 1960s. He served in top positions on the election campaigns of Mayor Richard Lugar and Mayor Bill Hudnut, as well as on a myriad of corporate, civic and government boards.
The two major political party candidates for mayor of Indianapolis took the stage Monday night in a what black leaders called a historic discussion on issues facing their community.
Mayor Joe Hogsett apologized “to anyone who I have offended” about his initial responses when asked about having a black agenda and said he—along with anyone running for mayor of Indianapolis—does need support from the black community.
The Indianapolis-based developer asked the city for an increase of more than $10 million to its incentive package. But following meetings and email exchanges, city officials rejected the request, calling it “not feasible.”
Central Indiana elected officials want to create a formal organization that could combine regional resources to pursue transformational projects.
The 2020 spending plan—which passed 22-2—is projected to spend about $171,500 less than the city will receive in revenue. Officials say that makes it the city’s third consecutive balanced budget since Hogsett—who is seeking re-election—took office in 2016.
Republican mayoral candidate Jim Merritt announced Thursday that he would ask Bill Benjamin, a former Democratic candidate for Marion County Sheriff and former IMPD deputy chief, to serve as the head of the IMPD because “the issues are bigger than party.”
A mental health services and addiction-treatment center planned for the city’s new Community Justice Campus will open years ahead of the new jail and courthouse facilities, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Wednesday.
Changes are in the works for several city-owned golf courses, after the Indianapolis Parks Department agreed to new, 10-year management contracts that are awaiting approval from the City-County Council.
Several Democrats told IBJ that party leaders have recently removed precinct committeemen and women who would have supported a candidate for prosecutor that isn’t backed by Mayor Joe Hogsett. The precinct committeemen and women will meet in a caucus Saturday to choose Curry’s successor.
The Indy Chamber has endorsed Democractic incumbent Joe Hogsett in this year’s mayoral election, but also praised Republican challenger Jim Merritt for his work in the Indiana General Assembly.
The board carries $56 million in liability insurance for its facilities, including a $1 million general liability policy and a $55 million umbrella policy.