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 Precinct results Finkam: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Nelson: 40–50% 50–60% | ||||||||||||||||
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The 2023 Carmel mayoral election took place on November 7, 2023. Republican nominee Sue Finkam defeated Democrat Miles Nelson by a 14.4% margin to become the next mayor.
Incumbent Republican Mayor James Brainard, first elected in 1995, chose to retire, creating an open race for the position for the first time in 28 years.[1] In the party primaries held on May 2, 2023, Republican City Councilor Sue Finkam bested two other GOP candidates to advance to the November 7 general election, while Democrat Miles Nelson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and advanced automatically.[2]
Finkam's general election campaign priorities included boosting fiscal responsibility by adopting zero-based budgeting in the first year, crime prevention and public safety, expanding community involvement in development projects (specifically multifamily housing projects), and increasing government transparency, as outlined in the vision plan published and promoted by her campaign.[3][4][5][6][7][8] Nelson's campaign primarily focused on his opposition to the conservative parent advocacy group Moms for Liberty, and concerns he had about their possible influence on Carmel Clay Schools policy which is set by the school board.[9][10][11][12] Notably, there is no conservative majority on the current school board following the 2022 school board elections.[13][14][15]
- ^ "Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard will not seek reelection, ending seven terms as mayor in 2023". The Indianapolis Star. September 13, 2022.
- ^ "Finkam wins tight Republican primary in Carmel mayoral race • Current Publishing". May 2, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Reporter, The (October 21, 2023). "Sue Finkam releases her plan to "Elevate Carmel"". Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Carmel mayoral candidates discuss priorities, vision for city's future". Fox 59. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Elevate Carmel | Sue Finkam for Carmel Mayor". www.suefinkam.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Reporter, The (October 21, 2023). "Finkam calls for overhaul of Marion County's "failed" criminal justice system". Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Lucas, Lena (April 3, 2023). "Sue Finkam for Carmel Mayor: A Bright Future for All". Carmel Monthly Magazine - Carmel, Indiana. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Reporter, The (October 21, 2023). "Sue Finkam pledges more transparency in Carmel government". Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "The Indianapolis Star". www.indystar.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Miles Nelson Calls for Sue Finkam to Immediately Denounce Moms for Liberty". Miles for Mayor. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Carmel mayoral candidates square off in debate • Current Publishing". October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "About the Board - Carmel Clay Schools". www.ccs.k12.in.us. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Republicans point to split conservative vote in failing to sweep Carmel school board seats • Current Publishing". November 9, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ Gaines, Lee V. (January 18, 2023). "Conservative school board candidates feared indoctrination. What's next for Indiana?". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Standing up to extremism in Carmel Indiana". DEMOCRACY AND EDUCATION. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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