Marion County voters will see only one name from each party on the May 5 primary ballot for prosecutor: Democratic incumbent Ryan Mears and Republican challenger Philip Foust, who are both running unopposed in their party primaries and will face each other in the November general election.
Homicides in Indianapolis have declined in recent years, according to Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration, but the city has continued to grapple with youth gun violence.
The race also comes at a time when Republican lawmakers and state officials, including Gov. Mike Braun, have criticized public safety in Indianapolis and singled out the prosecutor's office.
Mears first became prosecutor in 2019, when Democratic precinct committee members selected him to replace Terry Curry, who resigned because of an ongoing battle with prostate cancer. He won his first full term in 2022. Mears defeated Republican Cyndi Carrasco, a former Indiana inspector general, in the 2022 general election.
Foust previously worked as a deputy prosecutor in Marion County under both Mears and Curry.
WFYI contacted each campaign to ask why the candidate is running and what their priorities are. For candidates who did not respond, information was gathered from their campaign websites and social media. Candidate statements have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Philip Foust
Party: Republican
Age: 42
Occupation: Town of Speedway clerk-treasurer
Website: philipfoust.com
Campaign message: "Indianapolis is at a crossroads. After years of failed leadership and policies that have made our city less safe, I'm running for Marion County Prosecutor to restore accountability and public safety. Instead of coddling criminals, we need a prosecutor who will aggressively enforce the law, stand up for victims, and hold those who prey on our community fully accountable."
Top priorities: "My priorities are straightforward: Confront juvenile crime with real accountability instead of excuses and pity for offenders, which has only made the problem worse. Refocus the prosecutor's office on its core mission: prosecuting criminals, protecting the public, and delivering justice for victims--rather than chasing the latest unrelated social initiatives; and Work closely with law enforcement, neighboring prosecutors, and state leaders who are serious about reducing crime instead of standing in the way of safer neighborhoods."
Ryan Mears (incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Age: 45
Occupation: Marion County prosecutor
Website: ryanmears.com
Campaign message: "Public safety should mean something deeper than who gets locked up and for how long, it should mean trust, fairness, and a system that works for everyone. I'm running to ensure we hold the most dangerous offenders accountable while continuing to invest in the prevention, integrity, and community partnerships that actually make us safer. As we've seen, being "tough on crime" isn't enough, we have to be smart on justice and listen to our community."
Top priorities: "Public safety is a commitment we keep through results and relationships. I'm running to maintain strong conviction rates in the cases that matter most, while expanding the community-based programs that prevent violence before it starts."
Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05
