First primary after Indianapolis council redistricting concludes with some surprises

Marion County voters took to the polls Tuesday to vote for candidates in newly redistricted City-County Council seats. 

Some of the districts will have new candidates lined up for the general election. A number of districts were decided Tuesday night because the opposing party does not have a candidate running in November.

That includes District 13, where Democrat Jesse Brown beat longtime councilor Zach Adamson.  Brown said issues of social disparity are top of mind for him.

“I’m from 46218 zip code, which has 17 years less life expectancy than Fishers has,” Brown said.

In other upsets, Democrat Andy Nielsen beat incumbent David Ray in District 14. In District 2 longtime Democratic councilor Monroe Gray was beat by Brienne Delaney. 

More candidates from the faith-based community also ran this year.  Democrat and pastor Carlos Perkins won District 6, and said he ran on a platform to improve mental health response, climate justice and safety.

“We are excited that residents heard our cry, heard our plea and responded in a positive way,” Perkins said.

Seven districts had uncontested races, in which five incumbent Democrats and one incumbent Republican retained their seats.  Republican Derek Cahill was unchallenged, and will serve in the new District 23.

On the city’s west side, Councilor Jared Evans was uncontested in the primary for District 11 but will face a Republican challenger in November. Evans said he’ll be back on the trail soon because the west side is always competitive.

“I’m not going to take it for granted – voters expect whether you’re elected or a candidate to come out, knock on doors, meet with them, talk to them,” Evans said. 

Ten races will be contested in the general election. Democrats will likely hold onto their supermajority.

This story has been updated. 

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.