ReCenter Indiana has identified Sue Finkam and Woody Rider as centrist candidates of choice in the 2023 Republican primary for mayor of Carmel.

OUR ENDORSEMENT

Weighing in for the first time on primary races, ReCenter Indiana has chosen Carmel’s three-way Republican race for mayor. We selected it for its diversity of thought and approach. While all three candidates have experience in municipal government, each has a unique approach to serving as Carmel’s chief executive.

After interviewing Ms. Sue Finkham and Mr. Woody Rider, the candidate selection committee finds both to align with our organization’s values.

Common themes of transparency, forward thinking, and community engagement rose to the top through our discussion.

Is there a centrist approach to leading a city? We think so!

Centrists are known for their balanced approach and commitment to people over partisanship. We find that both Ms. Finkham and Mr. Rider are exemplify centrist values.

Carmel, you have two highly qualified centrists to choose from in this primary.  If you are voting in the Republican primary, we invite you to review their interviews on this page, then cast a ballot for either of them on or before May 2, 2023.

Looking toward the general election Nov. 7, ReCenter Indiana will revisit the race for Carmel mayor and add updated interviews this summer.  

We invited all three Republican candidates for Carmel mayor for virtual interviews, allowing candidates to respond to the same questions spanning various office-related topics.

  • Sue Finkam was interviewed on April 3.

  • Woody Rider was interviewed on April 7.

  • Fred Glynn’s campaign did not respond to repeated attempts to schedule an interview.

Candidate interviews

Evaluation Process

CANDIDATE SELECTION

Select races

Evaluate

Interview

Endorse

We research the races and our selection committee decides on which ones to weigh in on.

Candidates for public office are asking you to hire them. We ask them questions to help you decide whether to give them the job.

We weigh their answers, along with their public record, to find the best fit for us and the majority of Hoosiers.

We recommend a candidate based on our evaluation. Who gets elected, of course, is up to the people who vote.

Candidate background

Why they're running

Their website clarifications

Their qualifications

Continuity from Mayor Brainard

View of Brainard's Legacy

Honoring Mayor Brainard

Fiscal issues

Carmel's municipal debt

Accusations against Rider

Spending overrun and transparency

Transparency with neighborhoods

Quality of life

Public interest in this race

Value of diversity

Importance of walkability