Meet the candidate for City-County Council District 8

Democrat Ron Gibson, 57, is running unopposed for Indianapolis City-County Council District 8. He defeated Danita Hoskin in the Democratic primary. There is not a Republican challenger, so Gibson will take the District 8 seat Jan. 1, 2024 – on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The district, currently held by Monroe Gray who was redistricted, was previously farther west. Gibson served on the Indianapolis City-County Council from 2000-2007 and is currently a program manager at Elevance Health. 

WFYI and the Indianapolis Recorder sent Gibson six survey questions to help voters learn more about his goals. His answers are below.

Editors’ note: Responses were edited for AP Style and grammar, and any numbers used were checked for accuracy. When a statement required more clarification or could not be independently verified, WFYI reached out to candidates before publication. Those instances, and those candidate responses, are noted throughout in editors’ notes, marked by an * and presented in italics.

Early voting opened Oct. 11. Election Day is Nov. 7. 

RON GIBSON

What are the top concerns that your district’s constituents have shared with you, and what are the issues that you foresee affecting them most in the next two to three years? 

I’m running to make Indianapolis Council District 8 stronger, safer and better: 

• Better infrastructure 
• Safer neighborhoods 
• Stronger communities 

Affordable housing is a major issue in Indianapolis. What measures should the council take to address this?

Propose stiffer penalties for vacant properties and absentee landowners. 

Promote more affordable housing when considering new developments. 

Support redevelopment where appropriate. 

What is your top concern regarding public safety in Indianapolis? What steps will you take as a council member to address it? 

Ban assault weapons.

More investment in social programs to steer youth away from crime. 

More resources for the city’s Division of Re-Entry work in helping people leaving incarceration find jobs, food, transportation, and mental health services. 

Establish a living wage ensuring businesses that receive any type of tax breaks to pay at least $20 an hour and provide child care and training support.

Where appropriate consider installation of gunshot detection system.

What specific steps will you take to address environmental concerns in your district that affect your constituents’ quality of life and life expectancy?

Seek solutions for food deserts. 

First and foremost, I will seek the community’s input on what’s needed to ensure viable communities for many years to come. 

What specific steps will you take to connect minority-owned businesses in Indianapolis with contracts for city projects? How else will you support growth opportunities for minority-owned businesses?

Require all development and construction receiving TIF and/or abatements to commit to MBE participation. 

Advocate for minority-owned businesses involvement across the board. 

What would you like to see happen for K-12 education in Indianapolis, and how would you work as a city-county councilor to achieve that?

I am committed and invested in public education as my little one currently attends IPS 91. 

I will continue to advocate and fight for excellence in public education.