2011 Indianapolis mayoral election
← 2007 November 8, 2011 2015 →
Turnout29.9%
 
Nominee Greg Ballard Melina Kennedy
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 92,499 84,968
Percentage 51.3% 47.1%
Mayor before election

Greg Ballard
Republican

Elected Mayor

Greg Ballard
Republican

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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

Democratic party

Defeated in the primary

Removed from ballot

Libertarian party

Campaign

Melina Kennedy was described as the "overwhelming favorite" to win the Democratic primary,[8] and succeeded in doing so.

The campaign was the most expensive in Indianapolis history, with the candidates raising a combined $6 million.[9] Representative André Carson, Sam Carson's nephew, endorsed Melina Kennedy.[10] Kennedy was also endorsed by The Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police.[11][12]

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

Indianapolis mayoral election, 2011[3]
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 29.9 +3.7
Majority 7,531 4.2
Republican hold Swing
Preceded by
2007 		Indianapolis mayoral election
2011 		Succeeded by
2015

References

  1. ^ "Dems, GOP slate their candidates for May 3 primary". The Indianapolis Star. February 12, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "Slating conventions to take on just a few contested races". The Indianapolis Star. February 12, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "2011 General Election Results". Marion County Clerk's Office. November 9, 2011. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  4. ^ "Democrats take lead on City-County Council". The Indianapolis Star. November 9, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "Mayor Ballard faces Democratic-controlled council". WTHR. November 9, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  6. ^ "Carson To Enter Indianapolis Mayoral Race". WRTV. February 10, 2011. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  7. ^ Howey, Brian A. (March 3, 2011). "House walkout could impact mayoral races" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 16 (26). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Howey, Brian A. (February 24, 2011). "First look at Indiana mayoral races" (PDF). Howey Politics Indiana. 16 (25). Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "Expensive mayoral campaign winds down". WTHR. November 8, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  10. ^ "Messy Family Stuff". onPolitix. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  11. ^ "Editorial Board endorsement: City needs Kennedy". The Indianapolis Star. October 30, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  12. ^ "FOP endorses Kennedy for mayor". Indianapolis Recorder. September 8, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.

External links

(2010 ←)   2011 United States elections   (→ 2012)
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