Democrat Hogsett wins third term as Indianapolis mayor
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Despite being outspent more than 2 to 1, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett easily overcame a Republican challenger on his way to a third term.
Hogsett consistently held nearly 60% of the vote throughout Tuesday night.
Speaking to supporters just before 10 p.m., he said Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve is a long-valued member of the community and he welcomed Shreve’s continuing contributions.
“The voters have spoken. And they have given us the chance to deliver on those challenges that yet remain,” he said. “Because there are guns to get off of our streets. There is affordable housing to build.”
Public safety played a key role in the election. Shreve centered his campaign on criticism of Hogsett’s public safety record. In his victory speech Tuesday night, Hogsett again responded to those criticisms, noting a massive influx of new police officer hires during his time in office and repeatedly referring to his efforts to limit young people’s access to firearms.
Earlier this year, at his urging, the City-County Council approved a measure that would, among other things, raise the minimum age to purchase any firearm in Indianapolis to 21. The ordinance will remain inactive unless the General Assembly repeals the state’s preemption law, a highly unlikely prospect.
Hogsett said he will retire from office when his third term ends in 2028, something he has repeated since the beginning of his campaign.
Hogsett had originally planned to leave office after two four-year terms. When he launched his bid for a third term, he said he wanted to fulfill initiatives put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hogsett will be sworn in for his new term Jan. 1. If he completes it, he will be the second-longest serving mayor in the city’s history after Bill Hudnut.