The Indianapolis City-County Council Democratic Caucus announced plans to elect Councilor Maggie A. Lewis as council president and Councilor John Barth as vice president for 2026. Councilor Jared Evans has been selected to serve as majority leader.
The new leadership team will formally assume their roles during the Jan. 5 council meeting.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful to my colleagues for the trust they’ve placed in me through this caucus nomination to continue serving in leadership,” Lewis said. “I look forward to working with the entire council and the administration to find solutions that address issues, including public safety, health, and quality of life.”
Lewis also encouraged residents to engage with council work, saying, “I encourage the community to join us in our efforts by attending council and committee meetings, along with community-focused events within the districts.”
According to the announcement, the 2026 council leadership plans include launching a monthly newsletter focused on council activity, with quarterly special editions highlighting districts across the city’s north, south, east and west sides. Leadership also plans to hold council committee meetings throughout the community and strengthen the council’s leadership structure by fostering teamwork and establishing a clear strategic direction.
Additional goals outlined in the announcement focus on creating a more responsive, efficient and community-oriented council while prioritizing district needs and strengthening partnerships with the administration.
Residents can find the 2026 calendar and meeting agendas at indy.gov/agency/city-county-council and stream past and upcoming meetings through the city’s Government Access Television page.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
