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Get to know Greg Ballard, the former two-term Republican mayor of Indianapolis who is now running for Indiana Secretary of State as an independent. In a series of interviews, he recounts his childhood in Indianapolis, time in the Marines (including the first Gulf War), his underdog campaign for mayor, and how he handled the biggest crises he faced in office.
Greg Ballard never planned to run for office.
After 23 years as a Marine, serving in war and peace, he returned home to Indianapolis with his wife Winnie to build a career in the private sector and raise their family.
When he saw his city struggling, he stepped up to run for mayor.
He did so despite not having any money or political connections. He wasn’t part of the establishment. He just believed Indiana’s capital city could do better.
After pulling off an upset victory, he focused on results — navigating the Great Recession while balancing the budget, saving taxpayers and ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars, bringing the Super Bowl to Indiana, and forging practical partnerships across party lines.
He ran as a Republican, but governed for everyone. He stepped aside after eight years in office, becoming a visiting fellow at the University of Indianapolis to help inspire future leaders.
Mayor Ballard thought his career in public service had ended, but as our politics become more toxic, he felt called to serve once again.
He’s running for Indiana Secretary of State as an independent to safeguard our elections, restore professionalism to the office, and unlock a path for other Hoosier leaders our state can be proud of.
