Grand Jury Probes Hogsett Administration; GOP Caucus Backs Mowery for Council President and More

Written By Admin Indy Republicans

Friday, January 9, 2026

We had a great turnout at our annual Legislative Update Breakfast. Thanks to all those who attended and supported, and a special thank you to Senate Pro Tem Bray and Speaker Houston for their leadership and insights. We are all looking forward to another productive year at the Indiana Statehouse.

A Few Marion County Updates…

Grand Jury Investigating Mayor Hogsett’s Chief Aide Thomas Cook

A Marion County grand jury investigation is underway into Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former top aide, Thomas Cook, over “city development deals” and “allegations of unlawful touching and communication.” MirrorIndy broke the news, read it HERE.

Reminder: Council Democrats, including former Council President Vop Osili, were willfully ignorant—ignoring Thomas Cook’s corrupt behavior to shield Mayor Hogsett from accountability.

Republican Councilor Michael Paul-Hart did a full rundown of the downstream effects of Cook’s backroom deals. You can watch it HERE.

GOP Caucus Backs Mowery for Council President

Following the news that Councilor Vop Osili would not seek another term as Council President, City-County Councilors voted on a new Council President Monday evening. Council Democrats unanimously elected Maggie Lewis. 

Council Republicans unanimously opposed Lewis, saying “it’s time for Indianapolis to move in a new direction.” The Republican Caucus took a stand by nominating Minority Leader Brian Mowery to serve in the leadership role. 

The Truth: Maggie Lewis has rubber-stamped the erosion of Indianapolis––unchecked crime, crumbling infrastructure, and a Mayor’s Office that is complicit in corruption. Notably, Maggie refused to call for Mayor Hogsett and his top aide, Thomas Cook, to be held accountable for allegations of a toxic work culture, harassment, and public corruption.

State Rep. Mitch Gore [D] Calls Out Indy Council Dems for Lack of Leadership

House Bill 1025 addresses the residency of public defenders and asserts that public defenders and employees of public defender agencies are not subject to a county residency requirement. 

Flashback: Republican Councilors Michael-Paul Hart and Josh Bain introduced a public safety package in AUGUST. One of those proposals was to remove the residency requirements for city employees, Council Democrats voted against the measure, despite testimony from public safety officials that affirmed removing the requirement would help retain and recruit qualified employees. 

Now, the Indiana Statehouse is working to clean up the Council Democrats’ mess.

Rep. Gore in his own words: “The [Indianapolis] City-County Council should’ve shown leadership and fixed this when they were asked to a year ago.”

Republicans were working to fix the issue, Democrats chose partisan politics over the safety and security of their constituents. 

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 @ 6:00 PM: Washington Township GOP Meet & Greet with Comptroller Nieshalla

Thursday, January 22, 2026: Marion County Young Republicans Meeting

Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Washington Township Lincoln Day Dinner 

  • Purchase Tickets: [HERE]

Friday-Saturday, February 20-21, 2026: Indiana GOP Congress of Counties

Admin Indy Republicans
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City of Lawrence Budgetary Blows Continue — Mark Your Calendar for January 5