2015 Indianapolis mayoral election


The Indianapolis mayoral election of 2015 took place on November 3, 2015. Voters elected the Mayor of Indianapolis, members of the Indianapolis City-County Council, as well as several other local officials. Incumbent Republican Greg Ballard did not run for re-election to a third term in office. Primary elections were held on May 5, 2015, with the Democrats nominating former secretary of state of Indiana and United States Attorney Joe Hogsett. Republicans nominated former Marine Chuck Brewer to face Hogsett.
The 2015 Indianapolis City-County elections took place alongside the mayoral election. This was the first election for the council without the four at-large seats, which were eliminated by the Indiana General Assembly. Democrats also won control of the council, with a 13–12 majority – only the second time since the formation of Unigov in 1970 that the Democrats had complete control of city government. They also swept all elected city and county offices for the first time since the formation of Unigov. This meant that, for the first time since the creation of the Unigov, the Democratic Party controlled both the Indianapolis mayoralty and City Council.

Republican primary

Ahead of the primary, Brewer was seen as having strong odds of winning the Republican nomination.

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Democratic primary

Ahead of the primary, Hogsett was seen as having strong odds of capturing the Democratic nomination.

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Libertarian nomination

Candidates

Declined

  • Charles Harrison, pastor and president of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition

Independents

Candidates

Dropped out

  • Sam Carson, businessman, Democratic candidate for mayor in 2011, son of former U.S. Representative Julia Carson and uncle of U.S. Representative André Carson

Declined

  • Charles Harrison, pastor and president of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition

General election

Hogsett was seen as having strong odds of winning the election.