Indianapolis mayoral election, 2011
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The Indianapolis mayoral election of 2011 took place on November 8, 2011. Voters elected the Mayor of Indianapolis, members of the Indianapolis City-County Council, as well as several other local officials. Incumbent Republican Greg Ballard was seeking a second term. Democrats nominated former deputy mayor Melina Kennedy to run against Ballard.[1][2] Ballard defeated Kennedy 51% to 47%.[3]
The Indianapolis City-County elections took place alongside the mayoral election, with Democrats taking a 16–13 majority.[3][4] This marked the first time in Indianapolis history that a Republican mayor would lead with a Democratic council.[5]
Candidates
Republican party
- Greg Ballard, incumbent mayor
Democratic party
- Melina Kennedy, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Development
Defeated in the primary
- Sam Carson[6]
- Ron Gibson
- Brian William
Libertarian party
- Chris Bowen
Campaign
The campaign was the most expensive in Indianapolis history, with the candidates raising a combined $6 million.[7] Representative André Carson, Sam Carson's nephew, endorsed Melina Kennedy.[8] Kennedy was also endorsed by The Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.[9][10]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Greg Ballard (R) |
Melina Kennedy (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPIC-MRA | October 29–31, 2011 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 44% | 33% | — | 23% |
Election results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Greg Ballard (incumbent) | 92,499 | 51.3% | +0.9% | |
| Democratic | Melina Kennedy | 84,968 | 47.1% | -0.1% | |
| Libertarian | Christopher Bowen | 2,676 | 1.5% | -0.8% | |
| No party | Write-Ins | 124 | 0.1% | — | |
| Turnout | 181,168 | 30% | +4% | ||
| Majority | 7,531 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
| Preceded by 2007 |
Indianapolis mayoral election 2011 |
Succeeded by 2015 |
References
- ↑ "Dems, GOP slate their candidates for May 3 primary". The Indianapolis Star. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ↑ "Slating conventions to take on just a few contested races". The Indianapolis Star. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- 1 2 3 "2011 General Election Results". Marion County Clerk's Office. 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ↑ "Democrats take lead on City-County Council". The Indianapolis Star. 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ↑ "Mayor Ballard faces Democratic-controlled council". WTHR. 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ↑ "Carson To Enter Indianapolis Mayoral Race". WRTV. 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ↑ "Expensive mayoral campaign winds down". WTHR. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ↑ "Messy Family Stuff". onPolitix. 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ↑ "Editorial Board endorsement: City needs Kennedy". The Indianapolis Star. 2011-10-30. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ↑ "FOP endorses Kennedy for mayor". Indianapolis Recorder. 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2011-11-09.