The president of the City-County Council has announced he will not seek reelection to his leadership post.
Vop Osili, a Democrat who has represented parts of downtown and the northwest side since 2012, announced Tuesday, Dec. 9, that he will not seek another term as council president, fueling speculation that he will run for mayor in 2027.
“Serving as council president has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Osili said in a media release. “This decision comes after deep reflection. Stepping back from the presidency allows me to focus my energy where it’s most needed and continue serving our city with the same commitment that has guided my work from the beginning.”
The council leader is one of several Democrats rumored to be considering a run for mayor in 2027. State Sen. Andrea Hunley and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears have also been floated as possible successors to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
Osili, 62, has been council president since 2018. He is also an architect at Woolpert, Inc., a local engineering and design firm.
It’s unclear who will replace Osili as president. Ali Brown, the council’s vice president, already announced she won’t seek reelection to council leadership.
Like the mayor, councilors are elected to four-year terms. The next election will happen in 2027.
Osili’s role in harassment probe
If Osili chooses to run for mayor, he will likely encounter questions about his handling of sexual misconduct allegations against Thomas Cook, the mayor’s disgraced former chief of staff who was the subject of a $450,000 council investigation.
Osili was the subject of public criticism when he ordered sheriff’s deputies to forcibly remove Lauren Roberts from a June council meeting as she was testifying about her experience working as a subordinate to Cook during Hogsett’s first mayoral campaign.
Hogsett said Roberts should have been given more time to speak. Osili later apologized and expressed regret for how he handled the situation.
Osili reported just over $300,000 in his campaign account as of Jan. 1, according to campaign finance records.
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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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