Mayor Joe Hogsett is continuing to fundraise. A campaign flyer obtained by Mirror Indy promises access to “Mayor Joe” at a March 27 event at Parlor Public House.
Hogsett, who has previously said his current term would be his last as mayor, declined to answer Mirror Indy’s questions this week about the flyer.
“I don’t want to answer a political question at a city event,” Hogsett, a Democrat, told Mirror Indy following a groundbreaking ceremony at Tarkington Park on Feb. 25.
A Hogsett spokesperson referred Mirror Indy to Hogsett’s campaign.
Emily Gurwitz, who has worked as the campaign finance director, was listed as the contact name on the flyer. When asked via email by Mirror Indy why Hogsett is fundraising, Gurtwitz said the event is for “a group of business, community and civic leaders who believe in the positive momentum Mayor Hogsett continues to deliver for Indianapolis.”
The event flyer lists membership levels to join the Hogsett campaign’s “Committee for Indianapolis,” beginning at $2,500 per year for the silver level and $10,000 per year for the platinum level.
The group meets quarterly, Gurwitz said in her email, to support Hogsett “in fulfilling his vision” for the future of Indianapolis.
The flyer characterizes the event as a “kick off” for the group, but it’s unclear what it’s kicking off.
Speculation about Hogsett’s future comes at a time of uncertainty for Hogsett. The mayor is facing scrutiny from the Democratic-led City-County Council, which launched an investigation last year into the Hogsett administration’s handling of sexual harassment allegations.
The fundraiser also comes as Hogsett pursues a bid to bring a Major League Soccer team to Indianapolis. Hogsett on Monday shared an Indiana Pacers suite with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and City-County Council President Vop Osili, among others.
Why is Hogsett fundraising?
When Hogsett decided to run for a “third and final term,” as he coined it, he contradicted comments made during his initial 2015 run for mayor.
As a candidate, Hogsett advocated for term limits and promised to push the City-County Council to limit mayors to two four-year terms.
“Eight years is long enough to accomplish what you want to accomplish,” Hogsett said at the time, according to a 2015 news article from WFYI.
Laura Merrifield Wilson, professor of politics at the University of Indianapolis, said Hogsett’s promise to not seek a fourth term as mayor “may be less than reliable” given his track record.
She noted, though, Hogsett could spend his campaign dollars in a couple other ways, such as a future run for a statewide office. After all, she said, the state party has been at a crossroads for several elections.
Or, she said, those funds could support other candidates.
“I think voters don’t always realize that campaigns themselves can be contributors,” Wilson said, “and that happens often when a candidate is very popular and has a glut of resources but decides to use those by donating to other candidates in tight or closer races.”
In her statement to Mirror Indy, Gurwitz declined to say whether Hogsett’s fundraiser is intended to support other Democrats.
Whether or not Hogsett decides to run for mayor again in 2027, several prominent Indy Democrats have been rumored to be considering a run. That includes Osili, Indiana Sen. Andrea Hunley and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
Hogsett reported $720,000 cash on hand at the end of 2024, according to campaign finance records. He raised more than $6 million during his 2023 mayoral campaign.
“Hogsett is one of the best fundraisers in his party in Indiana, and he can leverage that to the party’s advantage,” Wilson said.
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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