The decision by Democrats on City-County Council Feb. 3 to shun the most progressive member of their caucus has sparked a backlash from his supporters.
A day after the Democratic caucus voted to expel Councilor Jesse Brown, about 50 residents showed up to a committee meeting at the City-County Building to protest his sudden removal.
Brown and his supporters say he was banished for calling out three Democratic councilors — Majority Leader Maggie Lewis, Carlos Perkins and Leroy Robinson — for signing a letter in support of Indianapolis Public Schools sharing tax dollars with charter schools.
“I think it’s fair to say that even someone who doesn’t agree with his politics will probably say that he’s been a consistent vocal person in city government and always willing to put himself on the line for his constituents,” said Mark Latta, an eastsider who lives in Brown’s district. “The fact he’s being penalized for that is indefensible. It’s ridiculous. It’s a complete lack of leadership.”
A statement attributed to the council’s Democratic caucus, which is led by Lewis, said Brown was removed for his focus on “falsehoods” and for making “inappropriate accusations,” though it did not mention Brown by name or go into specifics.
“After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the caucus — and the constituents we serve — for this individual to continue acting as an independent council member rather than part of our caucus,” the statement read, in part.
Brown, who represents District 13, which includes parts of downtown and the near east side, told Mirror Indy he’s never lied to his colleagues.
What it means to be removed from caucus
The Democratic caucus holds a 19-seat supermajority on the 25-member council.
Brown is still a Democrat and told Mirror Indy he wants to be admitted back into the caucus. He retains his position on the council and can continue to draft ordinances and resolutions and work with the council’s attorney, but he will no longer be privy to information shared in private caucus meetings with Democrats.
At those meetings, Democrats often discuss government, business and policy issues ahead of public votes. And since they have a supermajority, Democrats can typically dictate what information is shared publicly and what stays behind closed doors.
The move comes as state lawmakers consider legislation that would dissolve IPS schools. Brown, a fierce opponent of charter schools, wrote in his newsletter that his Democratic allies on council were offering “weak lip service to protecting public education.”
“While the Republican muggers at the statehouse hold the gun, Democrats in Indianapolis are telling the school board, ‘they’re not messing around, they will shoot! Better do what they say!’” Brown wrote in his Jan. 28 newsletter.
How Democratic councilors voted
The Democratic caucus decided in a private vote to expel Brown. He later released the breakdown. Mirror Indy confirmed the accuracy of the count with another councilor who was present at the meeting.
Brown and five other councilors voted to keep him in the caucus: Dan Boots, Crista Carlino, Jared Evans, Kristin Jones and Jessica McCormick.
The other 13 Democrats on council voted for expulsion: Rena Allen, John Barth, Council Vice President Ali Brown, Brienne Delaney, Ron Gibson, Keith Graves, Maggie Lewis, Frank Mascari, Andy Nielsen, Council President Vop Osili, Carlos Perkins, Nick Roberts and Leroy Robinson.
“For a caucus to be successful, it must rely on trust, factual discourse, and a commitment to constructive teamwork,” the caucus statement read.
Despite the vote, Brown said he would continue fighting for his constituents as a Democrat.
“I am absolutely still a duly elected Democrat,” Brown told Mirror Indy in a text message. “13 people in a closed door meeting do not have the legal or moral authority to overrule the 5,479 people who voted for me as their Democratic representative.”
How common is this?
Such political infighting is rare. In 2022, Councilor Ethan Evans declared himself an independent and stopped caucusing with Democrats. He declined to run for reelection after one term.
At the Statehouse in 2022, Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, stopped caucusing with fellow Republicans because he wanted to pass an abortion ban with no exceptions.
A history of ruffling feathers
Brown is a self-described democratic socialist and has routinely bucked other Democrats on council.
For example, when other Democrats were avoiding the topic of the Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip, Brown authored a special resolution supporting a ceasefire and weapons embargo.
Brown was also the only councilor to call for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s resignation after Mirror Indy and IndyStar reported on sexual harassment accusations against Hogsett’s former longtime chief of staff, Thomas Cook.
Brown, who defeated incumbent Zach Adamson in 2023 despite a steep fundraising disadvantage, has served as a progressive voice on the council who is not afraid to challenge Indy’s Democratic leadership publicly.
He told Mirror Indy he plans to run for reelection in 2027.
Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson, a Democrat, said the decision to expel Brown is indicative of a larger problem with her party. She didn’t speak directly in support or opposition to Brown, but told reporters after this week’s committee meeting that Brown should have a little leeway.
“I know you have little rules, and there’s in-fighting, but as Democrats, we should all be working together,” Johnson said. “I think that’s why we’re in the boat that we’re in. We’re in the situation that we’re in because we don’t know how to work together.”
Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
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