Brainard Announces Retirement; Won’t Seek Eighth Term in 2023

By Joe LaRue
joe@thetimes24-7.com

At a press conference on Tuesday, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard announced that he will not run for re-election in 2023.

Brainard, who has been in office since 1996 and is currently in his seventh term, said he would not endorse a candidate in the upcoming election and did not announce his specific plans after his term expires.

Around Hamilton County, local leaders expressed their respect and gratitude towards Brainard. Mayor Chris Jensen, in a statement made to The Times, said, “Mayor Brainard not only made Carmel a better place, but pushed us all to make Hamilton County a better place as well. I wish him well in his retirement.”

Mayor Scott Fadness tweeted on the day of the announcement, saying, “…he [Brainard] is living proof of what a person with vision and the courage to see it through, can do. I look forward to continuing to work with him in his final months in office.”

And Westfield Mayor Andy Cook responded by saying, “In his seven terms as Mayor of Carmel, Jim Brainard has been a transformational leader. He inspired me to become involved in politics, and I’ve always admired the entrepreneurial spirit he brought to the office.”

He went on to say, “Mayor Brainard has reimagined what suburban cities can aspire to become. He is a friend and mentor, and for that, I’m grateful.”

Brainard oversaw Carmel’s population grow from 25,000 to over 100,000 in 2021. He led the effort to create Carmel City Center, and was Mayor for the creation of the Carmel Farmers Market, Carmel Monon Community Center, Monon Trail and Center for the Performing Arts.

He also oversaw numerous environmental initiatives, including:

• Promoting the building of roundabouts, which reduce emissions;
• Signed executive orders that mandate, when possible, that city operations utilize hybrid cars;
• Encouraged the City Utility Department to find more efficient means of powering water treatment facilities; and
• Began studying the potential of employing wind power in Carmel.

He also oversaw the construction of a record 142 roundabouts in Carmel, the first being built in 1997.

Brainard lived in Bristol, Indiana before graduating in 1976 from Butler University, having studied history, political science and speech. He went on to obtain his JD from Ohio Northern University’s Claude W. Pettit College of Law in 1982.

No candidates have currently announced for the 2023 Carmel Mayor’s race.