After months of speculation, Vop Osili has put the rumors to rest: He’s running for mayor of Indianapolis.
The longtime Democrat on the City-County Council announced Jan. 15 that he’s taking the next step in his political career.
“This campaign isn’t about ideology or political labels,” Osili said in a press release. “It’s about whether city government is delivering the basics people rely on every day — safe and stable housing, public safety rooted in trust and humanity, and real economic opportunity.”
Osili, 62, recently stepped down as council president after serving in the role since 2018. He represents District 12, which includes a large portion of downtown Indianapolis and parts of the near west side.
As a councilor, he helped establish a city-funded microloan program catered toward residents and businesses in lower income neighborhoods. He also worked on a city initiative that awarded tax abatements and other incentives to companies who hire ex-offenders.
In addition to his role on the council, Osili is an architect at Woolpert, Inc., a local engineering and design firm.
Osili has long been positioning himself for a run to replace Mayor Joe Hogsett, also a Democrat. Recently, though, Osili has faced criticism for ordering the removal of Lauren Roberts from a June 9 council meeting as she was speaking about her experience working for Thomas Cook, former chief of staff to Hogsett, on the mayor’s first campaign. Roberts and two other women have accused Cook of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
Osili later expressed regret for how he handled the incident. Roberts, meanwhile, is seeking damages from the city.
And they’re off
With his announcement, Osili has effectively fired the first shot in what is expected to be a highly contested and expensive Democratic primary election next year.
There are at least two other established Democrats thought to be eyeing a run to replace Hogsett: State Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
Osili will have a head start in the fundraising battle, having reported more than $300,000 in cash on hand at the beginning of 2025. Mears reported $89,000, while Hunley reported about $40,000 at the beginning of 2024.
It’s unclear if any Republicans are considering a mayoral run, though local party leaders are exploring their options, especially in light of the scandals that have engulfed Hogsett’s third term.
“Republicans, like all Marion County residents, are hungry for bold vision, principled leadership, and a local government that reliably takes care of the basics,” Natalie Goodwin, chair of the Marion County Republican Party, told Mirror Indy in a Jan. 14 emailed statement when asked about possible Republican mayoral candidates. “The current administration has been too distracted to deliver core services at the level our citizens deserve. The desire for change in our city is dramatic and overwhelming and voters will have a much-needed opportunity to change course next year.”
Hogsett defeated Republican Jefferson Shreve in the 2023 election by a wide margin, despite Shreve spending more than $13 million on his campaign. Shreve is now a member of Congress.
Hogsett leaving the door open
It’s still unclear if Hogsett will seek a fourth term. He was first elected in 2015.
While he has previously said this would be his final term, he told reporters at a groundbreaking event for a Ritz Carlton Hotel last week that it’s “a decision that needs to be made sometime this year, probably.”
Hogsett’s third term has been a rocky one. He has faced calls for his resignation for his handling of the harassment allegations against Cook, and for ignoring conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. Those allegations are now the subject of a grand jury investigation.
Cook, who has not been charged with a crime, has not responded to recent inquiries from reporters. He previously told IndyStar that he “had consensual relationships that violated a trust placed in me” but that he did not seek to use his professional position to further those relationships.
Even if Hogsett decides not to run, he could have a major influence on who becomes the next mayor.
That’s because Hogsett is a prolific fundraiser. He had $720,000 cash on hand at the beginning of 2025.
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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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