Muni Elections Sure to Get Nasty This Season

We're just a little over a month away from the Municipal Election Primaries, and voters are just now waking up and taking a look at the races for Indianapolis Mayor and City-County Council. It could get quite interesting.

On the Democratic side, you have incumbent Joe Hogsett. He's got a gaggle of opponents which includes longshots like community activist Larry Vaughn and perennial candidate Bob Kern among others. Also opposing him is State Representative Robin Shackleford. Shackleford, a veteran lawmaker, is making the rounds touting her legislative experience as her inside route to success on the 25th floor of the City-County Building. Hogsett is out talking about his efforts to rein in crime and the city's crumbling infrastructure which, let's face it, had been largely neglected for years under previous administrations, R and D.

Over on the GOP's side of the aisle there are also a handful of candidates, but it appears that the two leading candidates have different backgrounds. One one hand, you have the sometimes controversial and never-quiet attorney and radio talk show host Abdul-Hakim Shabazz pitted up against the quiet but extraordinarily wealthy businessman and former City-County Councillor Jefferson Shreve. Shreve has already spent a chunk of change on cable and over-the-air TV ads which specifically go after Mayor Hogsett's record. Shreve has experience on the Council, but he was largely an anonymous backbencher in the GOP caucus. 

This General Election season will be a huge referendum on Democratic Party rule of Indianapolis. The Dems have a huge majority on the City-County Council and sit in the Mayor's Office, so it's easy to pit every ill that the city has experienced, rightly or wrongly, on the Dems. Hogsett is trying to turn back the "third term jinx" which has befallen incumbents like Steve Goldsmith and Bart Peterson. Greg Ballard flirted with running for a third term, but he ultimately declined. The only successful post-Unigov third termer was Bill Hudnut.

After redistricting and the way population has changed in Marion County, the Dems are probably going to lose a few seats on the City-County Council. It was just nearly impossible to draw 20 safe Democratic seats. 

I expect this race for Mayor to get nasty and VERY expensive over the next few months. It's something we haven't seen in years.

Caveat Emptor: Merritt Wants You To Buy His (VERY VERY RECENT) Evolution on LGBTQ+ Issues

Jim Merritt

After days of controversy over his potential attendance, Jim Merritt announced he will not attend Saturday’s Indy Pride Parade.

Republicans march in the Indy Pride Parade all the time, but Merritt’s problem, according to many LGBTQ+ community members (myself included) was his voting record in the Indiana Senate. Merritt's answer to that...say he's evolved.

Merritt voted for the marriage amendment to the Indiana Constitution and also was a backer of the divisive RFRA legislation. Merritt also actively campaigned against the Indiana Youth Group license plate. IYG serves young LGBTQ+ people. (Full disclosure, I am a donor to this organization.)

Merritt, who earlier in the campaign reportedly said he stood behind every vote he’s cast in the Senate, disavowed his RFRA vote in a news conference telling assembled reporters that he apparently misunderstood the consequences of the legislation. Gotcha Jim. I guess you likely didn’t pay any attention to any of the news coverage around the legislation at the time.

At his presser, Merritt announced that if he’s elected Mayor that he will work with the General Assembly on a tougher hate crimes law and actively seek out LGBTQ+ individuals for city posts. He also said he’d create a “Diversity Department” in the city as well as be an advocate for LGBTQ+ protections in employment, public accommodations, and housing.

Great Jim.

Taking him at face value on his evolution which...cough cough...I find awfully sudden...where have you been for 29 years on these issues? Maybe when you’re back being a Senator in the General Assembly session next year you can deliver on these protections and a tougher hate crimes law. You certainly haven’t done squat in nearly three decades!

Jimmy come lately.