Carmel mayor considering run for Congress
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence joining the Trump ticket could impact Carmel Mayor James Brainard. On Friday, Brainard told 24-Hour News 8 he’s considering a run for U.S. Congress.
He would pursue the seat vacated by Congresswoman Susan Brooks if she’s selected by a caucus to be the Republican candidate for governor. Brooks currently serves as a United States representative for Indiana’s 5th congressional district.
Brainard says he hasn’t made a final decision about putting his name on the ballot yet, but it’s something he’s strongly considering.
“I really like being the mayor of Carmel, and we’ve made a lot of progress. It’s a great place for people to live,” he said.
Progress, he says, that includes growing the city’s population by around 60,000, creating an arts and design district and installing more roundabouts than any other city in the United States.
“I’ve gotten a lot of calls from people that have asked me to consider — if Susan Brooks becomes our gubernatorial candidate — stepping in and standing for election for House of Representatives,” he said.
In congress he said he’d focus on building strategic partnerships between local and federal government.
“So many times there’s tug and pull and sometimes it’s just like our federal representatives don’t understand how much can be accomplished working very closely with our local officials. I think I can bring that to the table,” he explained.
He’s hoping people will support his decision if he decides to run.
“There’s probably some people that would like to get me out of Carmel,” he said with a smile. ‘But seriously, I’ve gotten a lot of emails, one has said simply, ‘Please don’t leave.’ Others have been encouraging about being able to do some of the things we’ve done in Carmel up in Washington.”
The Indiana GOP caucus for governor is July 26, so we should know then if Brooks is the selected candidate for governor. Brainard will make a final decision after that.
The mayor says he will not run against Brooks, so this is only something he’d consider if she is selected and ends up running for governor.