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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Near east side councilor voted out of Democratic Caucus 

HANNA RAUWORTH
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.

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Jesse Brown, a city-county councilor for District 13, representing portions of Martindale Brightwood, was voted out of the Democratic Caucus Monday. 

Brown announced on X that he was expelled from the caucus minutes before the City-County Council meeting, writing “Just got expelled from the Democratic caucus, lmao.” 

In a newsletter to his constituents, Brown criticized his 13 democratic colleagues who voted to expel him.  

(Photo/Getty)

“Public business should be conducted in public, rather than behind closed doors,” he wrote. “My commitment to this principle has often put me at odds with my colleagues, including this last week, when I called for fully-funded, fully-public education, against the wishes of my Council colleagues and their Republican conspirators.” 

Brown, who was elected to serve as councilor for the near east side in 2023, has a history of contention with his fellow Democrats. Brown was criticized for his stance on Indianapolis Public School funding, veering away from his party’s moderate stance and directly criticizing Republican lawmakers for their introduction of bills in relation. 

Jesse Brown

Brown mentioned three of his fellow party members by name, writing, “My call-out of so-called Democrats Maggie Lewis, Carlos Perkins and Leroy Robinson’s subterfuge was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back,” referring to the lawmakers’ signing a letter calling for IPS to share funding with charter schools. 

Brown will remain the councilor for District 13 but can no longer join closed-door meetings or meet with them to discuss issues. 

The Democratic Caucus responded to Brown’s letter and expulsion, writing: 

“When any member focuses on falsehoods, makes inappropriate accusations, and undermines the collective benefit of our shared work, their approach does not align with the principles of the caucus. After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the caucus — and the constituents we serve — for this individual to continue acting as an independent council member rather than part of our caucus.” 

Brown concluded his letter by maintaining he will fight the decision and welcomes any support to do so. 

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as new information comes to light. 

To read more like this, click here.

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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