Indianapolis, Indiana – The results of the Marion County City-County Council elections on Tuesday will put an end to decades of governmental and local leadership.
Councilor David Ray, committee chairs Monroe Gray and Zach Adamson, and veteran councilor Duke Oliver were all defeated in elections. Duke Oliver will step down at the end of his tenure.
Adamson spent the final six years of his 12-year stint as the council vice president.
Gray, a councilor for the northside since 1992, was defeated by the challenger Brienne Delaney.
“I’m younger, I’m a female and I’m excited to bring my new ideas to the council,” said Delaney. “I’ve been involved in government for the majority of my career so definitely know that I bring some institutional knowledge about how the City-County Building works.”
Delaney has held positions as Deputy Marion County Prosecutor and Director of Elections.
“Being a former deputy prosecutor, I can bring that real-world experience to our council,” she said. “It’s been a while since there’s been a deputy prosecutor on the council so I really think that set of years over at the prosecutor’s office will bring a perspective that’s much needed to our council.”
Delaney stated that she wants to concentrate on resolving Indianapolis’ mental health crisis and fostering downtown residential growth.
Dr. Carlos Perkins, a Democrat, will stand for District 6.
“This is a new seat, there was no incumbent, this was a seat created as the result of new lines that were drawn last year,” said Perkins, senior pastor at Bethel Cathedral AME Church. “I think that gives the council the opportunity to have some new ideas. I think the individuals who were elected last night and are up for the general election will afford their experience and come to the council.”
According to Perkins, his major priorities will be enhancing public safety and the condition of the city’s streets.
“I think this is a great opportunity to represent the needs of our community, to bring in some new ideas of things that we have heard from our community,” he said.
A self-described Democratic-Socialist, Jesse Brown attributes his victory over Adamson to grassroots mobilization and a commitment to end the influence of the “insider’s club” on Marion County politics.
Brown stated that he wants additional assurances that all city workers, including subcontractors, will be paid a living wage of $18 per hour and that an investigation will be conducted into why the Indianapolis Home Agency has so many subsidized unoccupied apartments while county people are still without a permanent home.
Republicans are predicted to gain at least one seat in the 2024 council as a result of redistricting and the formation of two new districts, but they will still be outnumbered by a 19-6 ratio.
