2011 Indianapolis mayoral election
November 8, 2011
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

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 Williams

Removed from ballot

Libertarian party

  • Chris Bowen

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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 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.
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