While many were on the Indianapolis matchup between incumbent Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett and Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve, Tuesday saw several other mayoral races across the region where voters determined who will be in charge for the next four years.
Central Indiana election results:See live vote tallies here as results are announced
As of 9:30 p.m., 97% of the vote had been counted in Marion County, or 180 out of the 186 vote centers.
Here’s what to know about the contested races:
Beech Grove
Incumbent Democratic Mayor Dennis Buckley in Beech Grove announced last year he would not seek reelection. As of 9:30 p.m. James Coffman, a Democrat, appeared to have won with 55.3% of the vote. Rick Skirvin, a Republican, had 44.7% of the vote.
Coffman has served as clerk treasurer of Beech Grove since 2020 and owns a local shoe store. Skirvin is a longtime school board member who lost to incumbent Buckley in 2019 by fewer than 70 votes, according to previous IndyStar coverage.
Skirvin recently drew ire after an incident in mid-August where parents of three Black teenage students said Skirvin, who is white, allegedly followed their children and falsely accused them of stealing candy from a Walgreens. The parents are suing Skirvin for defamation.
Lawrence
Two political figures in Lawrence faced off for mayor in a tight race. Democrat Deb Whitfield was leading with 52.6% of the vote and Republican David C. Hofmann had 47.4% of the vote with nearly all the votes counted.
The Indiana Democrats declared victory for Whitfield, who will be the first Black mayor in Marion County.
“Deb ran an inclusive campaign focused on the future of Lawrence — its neighborhoods, its public safety, and most importantly, its people,” Indiana Democrats chair Mike Schmuhl said in a statement. “We congratulate Deb and her team on this strong win and look forward to her leadership as Marion County’s first African-American mayor when she’s sworn in next year.”
In a social media post, Whitfield thanked the city of Lawrence.
“I promise to do my best to serve every citizen of this great city as your Mayor,” she wrote. “Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we get to work.
Whitfield and Hofmann faced off to replace Republican incumbent Mayor Steve Collier, who announced he would not seek election last year.
Whitfield was elected to the Lawrence Common Council in 2019 and works for Community Health Network, formerly as a respiratory therapist and now as a director of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Hofmann, who had a long career with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, was appointed Lawrence Chief of Police in 2016 and went on to become current Republican Mayor Steve Collier’s chief of staff in 2022.
Greenfield
Republican Guy Titus won the mayoral race in Greenfield with 68.8% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Democrat Nate Anderson trailed with 26.4% and Libertarian candidate Larry Silver, Jr. had 4.7% of the vote.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Anderson wrote, “I’m incredibly grateful for every single person who supported us.” “We are not going anywhere and are here to stay,” he added. “Thank you everyone one. We are not done! This is JUST the beginning.”
Mayor Chuck Fewell, a Republican, announced in 2021 he would not seek re-election, leaving the field wide open.
Anderson is a school resource officer for Franklin Township schools and a reserve police officer; Silver, Jr., is a manager for Salvation Army thrift stores; and Titus, is the business services coordinator for Greenfield Power & Light, according to the Greenfield Daily Reporter.
Southport
Republican incumbent James Cooney appeared to easily win reelection with 62.8% of the vote. Independent challenger Heather Newport had 37.2% of the vote.
Newport and is a member of the city’s redevelopment commission and works at Salesforce, according to Linkedin.
Cooney was first elected in 2019 after serving on Southport’s City Council and the redevelopment commission.
Uncontested races
Newcomers John Stehr in Zionsville and Scott Willis in Westfield, both Republicans, are running uncontested. Incumbent mayors Chris Jensen of Noblesville, Scott Fadness in Fishers and Mark Myers in Greenwood, all Republicans, are also not facing opposition.
Contact business reporter Claire Rafford at 317-617-3402 or email crafford@gannett.com.