What state Sen. Andrea Hunley lacks in money relative to her current and prospective competition for mayor of Indianapolis, she made up for in energy Friday night.
“In this campaign,” she told the 400 people on the second floor of Tinker House, where she formally launched her bid for mayor, “we will not be ashamed to feel the good vibes.”
Contributing to the vibes: Thumping DJ music, food vendors, clothing-store popups, Andrea Hunley merch galore, a “kid zone” with face painting, a selfie station, a “township table” with trivia and info brochures, a film crew following her every move as she worked the room in an all-white pantsuit. After her speech formally launching her campaign, Hunley joined a bunch of kids in doing the Cupid Shuffle. Then she went downstairs to give the same speech to the remaining 1,100 attendees who couldn’t fit upstairs.
One longtime volunteer in Democratic politics said they’d never seen a launch party like it. A Democratic lawmaker ― one of just a few in attendance ― said he didn’t know almost any faces in the maxed-out crowd of 1,500. Such events are often filled with insiders and dignitaries.
“You got teenagers in here, you got babies, you got people who’ve never run for office before,” artist Wildstyle Paschal said. “This is not normal at all. This is a people’s campaign.”
Fitting for a former teacher and Indianapolis public school principal, her campaign theme ― printed, of course, on bookmarks, among other merch ― captures that sentiment: “Our next chapter.”
She asked the audience surrounding her to picture the Indianapolis they want to see 10 years from now. Many of them obliged. She shared that she sees a riverfront alive with parks and music, a city that celebrates its women’s sports stars, public schools that make people want to stay in the city and plant roots rather than flee to the donut counties.
“Indianapolis needs a mayor who refuses to believe that this is as good as it gets,” she said.
Despite the enthusiasm, the path ahead is no slam dunk in 2027. She would need to translate this energy into money beyond the $100,000 in her Senate campaign account. Her competition so far includes former City-County Council President Vop Osili, who has half a million dollars in his campaign account and 14 years of experience on the council, and former union leader David Bride. It may or may not include Mayor Joe Hogsett, who is currently sitting on $1.2 million.
Hogsett previously said his third term would be his last. Now, he’s not ruling out a fourth.
Attendees at Hunley’s launch event shared in her mood for change. The Teamsters Local 135, for example, has usually supported Hogsett; but even if Hogsett gets in this time, the union’s president, Dustin Roach, said they are behind Hunley.
“He said two terms is enough so I want to hold him accountable to that,” Roach said, referring to Hogsett. “At some point in time you need to pass the torch and bring some fresh energy, and that’s what Andrea brings.”
After a 15-year career in education, Hunley has served as a state senator for the past four years. Since 2024, she’s been the assistant minority leader, her caucus’ No. 2 spot. Of her run for mayor, she first broke the news with IndyStar two weeks ago.
She or Osili would make history as the city’s first Black mayor if elected. Hunley would also be the first woman.
Standing before her supporters, she pitched a mayorship that would be both collaborative and “transparent,” centered around strengthening public schools and improving quality of life everywhere so that the city isn’t just “a few bright spots.” In one corner, attendees could start contributing ideas by putting fake money in a series of jars labeled: “affordable housing for all,” “fix the potholes,” “make preschool free,” “more trails, parks and greenspaces,” and “big bold dreams.”
“This is a great city and our best days are yet to come,” she said. “I want to hear from you, what you want. Leadership works for the people and not for systems, money or power.”
Contact Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: For her Indy mayoral bid, Andrea Hunley has the vibes. Can she raise the money?
Reporting by Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
