Registered voters in Indianapolis will head to the polls May 7 to decide who moves on to the general election in November. The mayor’s post, as well as all 25 Indianapolis City-County Council seats, is up for election.
This is a lighter load compared to other election cycles, but the Recorder understands it’s still difficult to keep tabs on who will appear on your ballot as the everyday stresses of life take precedent over what can become tiresome politics. The Recorder tried to reach out to every candidate running in a contested primary to ask some basic questions about why people should get their vote. Not every candidate had contact information, and not every candidate responded.
Responses are edited for brevity.
*incumbent
First-time candidate for public office
INDIANAPOLIS CITY-COUNTY COUNCIL
District 1
LeRoy Robinson* (D)
Richard Anderson (R)
District 2
Colleen Fanning (R)
Thye Petty (D) — No response
Keith Potts (D), 29
Family: Married
Education: B.A., Boston Conservatory of Music
Career: Performing arts
What are your main issues?
• Infrastructure
• A local economy focused on inclusive growth
• Public safety
What else should voters know about you? When it comes to any issue, vote or decision, I will listen to as many perspectives as I can to make an informed decision with the best interests of all of District 2 at heart. As a young, proud union member, and member of the LGBTQ community, I will bring a fresh voice to advocate for our entire district. I believe we need to focus on bringing evidence-based solutions to the table.
District 3
Dan Jones (R) — Contact information unavailable
Steve Jamell (R) — Contact information unavailable
Dan Boots (D), 58
Family:
Married, four children
Education: B.S. in industrial management with an engineering option, Purdue University; graduate law degree, Indiana University
Career: Intellectual property attorney
What are your main issues?
• Investing in our city’s infrastructure, including roads and drainage systems
• Ensuring economic development and commercial revitalization, particularly in the business and retail areas of Castleton and the 82nd Street corridor and along Binford Boulevard and Allisonville Road
• Supporting schools and education
• Keeping our neighborhoods and businesses safe
• Expanding greenspace and access trails and making Indianapolis more sustainable
• Promoting area beautification and improvement
What else should voters know about you? I’ve dedicated my adult life to public service for our local community, and if I’m fortunate enough to be elected, I’ll put my boots on every day and work diligently and effectively for you. Learn more about me and my campaign at BootsforIindy.com.
Coleman Watson (D), 26
Education: Ivy Tech Community College and IUPUI
Career: Software developer
What are your main issues?
• Indianapolis infrastructure
• Public safety
• Small business growth and entrepreneurship
• Workforce development
What else should voters know about you? I have served in many leadership capacities in church, school, community and business. My professional experience includes business management, IT and software development. I started his first small business at the age of 23.
District 4
Michael McQuillen* (R)
Timothy Knight (D) — No response
Ethan Evans (D), 28
Family: Mother, father, two sisters
Education: B.A. in cinematography, San Francisco State University; M.S. in secondary education, Indiana University
Career: Surveyor’s assistant, photographer
What are your main issues?
• Infrastructure
• Public safety
• Fair-wage jobs
• Mental health care services
• Supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.
What else should voters know about you? As a community activist for the past few years, I have stood for those without a voice. I take an active part in police and community conversations aimed at improving relations. As a proud union member of AFSCME Local 827, I stand in support of workers’ rights and livable wages. I support public educators and believe more can be done to support our public-school teachers and students. Additionally, I volunteer with the Kheprw Institute and Lawrence Community Gardens.
District 5
Adam Cox (R)
Sherron Wellington Franklin (D) — Contact information unavailable
Crystal Puckett (D) — No response
Alison Brown (D), 34
Family: Married, one child
Education: B.A. in public relations, Ball State University
Career: Volunteer coordinator for NeighborLink and co-owner of Brown Progressive Strategies
What are your main issues?
• Affordable childcare
• Protecting mothers and their families
• Public safety
• Workforce development
• Mass transit
• Repairing our infrastructure
What else should voters know about you? I am a mother, a community activist and a leader.
As a progressive leader in Indianapolis, I have been a leading voice in building up vulnerable communities in our state. With a strong background in community development and organizing, I was the first person hired for Freedom Indiana in our groundbreaking campaign to protect LGBTQ+ rights in the Hoosier state. Since then, I have worked with the Indiana Federation of Democratic Women, Indiana Stonewall Democrats, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky and Indiana Young Democrats, among others, to fight discrimination and help all Hoosiers.
District 6
Janice McHenry* (R)
Crista Carlino (D)
District 7
Joseph Simpson* (D) — No response
John Barth (D), 50
Family: Married, three children
Education: Regis University; M.S.W., University of Michigan
Career: Senior leader at a local health plan serving the Medicaid, health insurance marketplace and Medicare populations.
What are your main issues?
• Improving Indianapolis neighborhoods
• Decreasing crime
• Advancing quality of life and the environment
What else should voters know about you? In my first council term, I am proud to have authored Proposal 77 that funded improvements to Tarkington Park, which is now a neighborhood jewel for local families and visitors located in the heart of District 7.
District 8
Monroe Gray Jr.* (D) — No response
Eric Cunningham (D) — No response
District 9
William Oliver* (D) — No response
Daquavise Winston (D) — No response
Martha Baker Blue (D) — No response
Leigh Evans (D), 48
Family: Married, three children
Education: B.S. in psychology, Purdue University; M.B.A., University of Phoenix
Career: Executive director for Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation
What are your main issues?
• Preserving affordable housing
• Improving infrastructure
• Providing more workforce development
What else should voters know about you? I believe your zip code should not determine what resources are available for you. I want to improve the quality of life for all District 9 neighborhoods. More information is available online on Facebook and vote4leighrileyevans.com.
Phillip Anderson (D), 62
Family: Married, five children, seven grandchildren
Education: Indiana State University; National Louis University
Career: Real estate broker
What are your main issues? Decrease crime by:
• Better job opportunities for ex-felons (reducing recidivism, reunite men with families)
• Repurpose or demolish empty buildings (improves appearance)
• Help for addicts, the homeless and mentally ill
• Free or low-cost Youth Sport League (YSL) to provide athletic activities and education support for students
What else should voters know about you? First, I am not a politician but an advocate for District 9 and the city. I believe the City-County Council official should be a strong visible leader and spokesperson for the district that elected him or her. District 9 has a unique set of issues that need a nonpolitical perspective to work with the politicians to get things done; it can’t be business as usual.
District 10
Maggie Lewis* (D)
District 11
Evan Shearin (R)
Vop Osili* (D) — No response
Elizabeth Thompson Parker (D) — Contact information unavailable
District 12
Robert Johnson* (D)
District 13
Deandre Yates (D) — Contact information unavailable
Keith Graves (D)
Career: Professional in the financial services sector
What are your main issues?
• Community revitalization
• Continuum of community care
• Criminal justice
Belinda Drake (write-in candidate for the general election), 33
Family: Married
Education: B.A., IUPUI
Career: Project management at Covance
What are your main issues?
• Improve community relations with local law enforcement
• Improve our roads and infrastructure
• Tackle the abandoned properties in the community
• Address the lack of mental health resources
What else should voters know about you? I am a young, motivated, hardworking woman that will fight for a better quality of life for all residents. My experiences include being part of the Indianapolis Public Allies, former intern with Congressman Andre Carson, and a supervisor that helped launch the Affordable Care Act for the state of Indiana. I also believe that my experience from working at Family and Social Services has prepared me to work with families in my community. Currently, as part of the project management team at Covance, I have learned how to work with different stakeholders on a global level to help successfully manage projects and improve processes related to healthcare. This skillset will be an asset, as I seek to work with other members of the council and mayor of Indianapolis.
District 14
Rena Allen (D) — No response
La Keisha Jackson* (D), 45
Family: Single
Education: M.B.A.
Career: Business and nonprofit
What are your main issues?
• Crime
• Infrastructure
• Trash and litter
• Food insecurities
• Slums and absentee landlords
• Connecting jobs for our neediest and underserved population
• Providing more opportunities for youth
• Economic development and revitalization
• Establishing landmarks and beautification projects
What else should voters know about you? I am a Councilor for the people! I have lived on the far east side of Indianapolis for over 30 years, where I worked as a resident to help bring over $5 million in resources and improve infrastructure prior to joining the Council in 2014. I am a precinct committeeperson and I have over 15 years of political engagement and experience. I support and advocate for the benefits of our communities, neighborhoods, residents, the underserved, disadvantaged and the unappreciated. I am honored to serve and if re-elected will continue to serve the community and city with honesty, transparency, truthfulness and the fight for what’s needed and what’s right.
District 15
Andy Harris (R)
Bryan Chatfield (D) — No response
Jessica McCormick (D) — No response
District 16
Laura Giffel (R)
Patrick Wagner (D), 30
Education: B.A. in biology and Spanish, DePauw University; M.S. in biology, IUPUI
Career: Information technology program manager
Other times you’ve run for political office: Delegate, Marion County, Democratic National Convention 2016 (Sanders)
What are your main issues?
• Question the status quo
• Sustainable growth
• Addressing our infrastructure, crime and cannabis reform
What else should voters know about you? Our progressive campaign has called for fundamental change to our municipal government — parts of which haven’t evolved since the inception of Unigov, which disproportionately affected our city’s low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. So, too, have we called for change in our local parties. Slating is wholly un-Democratic, and it’s meant to silence grassroots voices like ours. The late, great Julia Carson successfully beat the destructive slate in her first campaign as a candidate for Indiana House of Representatives in 1972. And I’ve wondered how would our local political landscape look now, had we abolished slating back in the 70s? Would our City-County Council still feel emboldened enough to offer private entities control of our most basic processes in my hometown? Would Indiana usher in her third Republican governor — in a row? Would our city finally celebrate meeting the progressive milestones that our sister cities achieved decades ago? I’m running on the Democratic ticket because I’m a lifelong Democrat, but our city can’t afford four more years of the same-old party-first politics. I am not indebted to any political machine, and I’m committed — for once and for all — to put my neighbors first.
Kristin Jones (D), 46
Family: Married, two children
Education: IUPUI
Career: Director of community engagement at the Julian Center
What are your main issues?
• Improving public safety and reducing crime
• Connecting community resources to our residents
What else should voters know about you? I had the privilege of making Indiana history twice. First as Speaker John Gregg’s finance director, I helped raise a record $17 million in less than two years for his gubernatorial race. Secondly, I was a four-year volunteer campaign manager for JD Ford, who became the first out-serving LGBTQ+ legislator in Indiana history.
District 17
Paula Barnett (R)
Joseph Denney (D) — Contact information unavailable
Zach Adamson* (D), 48
Family: Married
Education: Trade certification/cosmetology
Career: Small business owner for 24 years
What are your main issues?
• Continuing to improve quality of life issues like abandoned housing and illegal dumping
• Building on the increased economic viability of all neighborhoods in District 17 with a focus on those communities that have been historically neglected
• Working with neighborhoods to continue to engage the community at all levels
What else should voters know about you? It is my honor to serve the people of District 17. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together and the milestones we’ve reached. I pledge to be committed, accessible and engaged every step of the way.
Antonio Lipscomb (write-in candidate for the general election), 48
Family: Married
Education: Theology degree; business student at Martin University
Career: President of Love Life Outreach Vocational Training
What are your main issues?
• Unemployment
• Crime
• Community engagement
• Housing development
• Entrepreneurship
District 18
Carrie Zapfe (R)
Duane Ingram (D)
District 19
Anthony R. Mendez (R)
David Ray* (D), 41
Family: Married, three children
Education: Ball State University
Career: Benefits manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481
What are your main issues?
• Public safety
• Streets
• Infrastructure
• Creating good-paying jobs in Indianapolis and on the east side.
What else should voters know about you? I am incredibly proud to be a part of IBEW Local 481 and to represent the needs of workers on the City-County Council. Outside of work, and serving the east side on the council, there’s not much that I love more than watching my sons play just about every sport.
District 20
Phil Webster (D)
Jason Holliday* (R), 53
Family: Married with children
Education: B.A.
Career: Sales
What are your main issues?
• Economic development
What else should voters know about you?
Community involvement
• Decatur Township Civic Council (member)
• Decatur Central Lion’s Club (past member)
• Southwest Multi-Service Center, board of directors (past member, past president)
• Community Centers of Indianapolis, board of directors (past member)
• Indianapolis/Marion County City-County Council appointee to the Common Construction Wage Committee
District 21
Tyler Richardson (R)
Frank Mascari* (D)
District 22
Jason Richey (R)
Jared Evans* (D)
District 23
Paul Annee (R)
District 24
Thomas Vaughn (R) — No response
Doug Wood (R) — No response
Ben Brown (D)
District 25
Brian Mowery* (R)
Justin Braun (D)
MAYOR
Democrat
Joe Hogsett, 62*
Family: Married, three children
Education: Undergraduate and law degree, Indiana University; graduate degrees from IUPUI, Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary
Career: Mayor of Indianapolis since 2016
What are your main issues?
• Improving our infrastructure
• Increasing public safety
• Criminal justice reform
• Balancing our city budget
• Creating a city where prosperity and opportunity are attainable for all
Denise Hatch, 59
Family: Married, five children
Education: B.S. in marketing, A.S. in business management from New Hampshire College
Career: Retired business owner, entrepreneur, property investor and teacher.
What else should the voters know about you? When someone enters my life I try in small and large ways to make their life change for the better. Even only a smile at the custodian who is often ignored or taking in strangers because they needed a safe place. I was once nicknamed “Monster Mom” because of my passion for my children. My children have special needs and my husband and I worked hard to protect their rights to grow into the best human beings. I intend to be Indy’s mother and will fight together with you to make Indy proud.
Republican
Felipe Rios — Contact information unavailable
James Merritt — No response
Merritt, a state senator since 1990, has made potholes one of his central issues in his campaign to secure the Republican nomination and challenge Hogsett. Merritt represents District 31, which includes northeast Indianapolis.
Christopher Moore (R), 47
Education: Arsenal Technical High School
Career: Owner of a D.J. business and drives dump trucks
What are your main issues?
• Potholes
• Infrastructure
• Crime
• Helping the homeless
• Opioid addiction recovery
What else should voters know about you? I’m a citizen politician and do not want to make a career out of it. Set this city on a better path for a great future. For all of us. Not doing it for the money. It is not about me. It’s about every single one of us in this great city that needs a voice to be heard. This is the crossroads of America. We need to be better. We can and will be better.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
2019 primary candidates
