Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili announced Monday that he will not seek re-election as president when his current term ends in 2026, concluding eight years in the council’s top leadership role while remaining on the body as a district councilor.
Osili framed the decision as the product of “deep reflection,” saying the move allows him to focus more directly on policy work and constituent issues rather than the broader administrative and political demands of the presidency.
“Serving as Council President has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Osili said in the statement. “Stepping back from the presidency allows me to focus my energy where it’s most needed and continue serving our city with the same commitment that has guided my work from the beginning.”
The veteran Democratic lawmaker—first elected to the council in 2011—has presided over the body during some of its most turbulent periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s public safety challenges, and major debates over housing, policing, fiscal priorities, and neighborhood investment. Throughout the release, Osili emphasized collaboration as a hallmark of his tenure, thanking council staff, clerks, legal and policy teams, and community partners who helped “turn ideas into action.”
He also credited Indianapolis residents for shaping the council’s direction. “Public service only works when it is rooted in community,” Osili said. “The voices and advocacy of our neighbors shaped so many of our decisions.”
During his two terms as president, Osili oversaw several major policy shifts that will likely become key pieces of his legacy. Those include increased investments in public safety, expanded violence-interruption initiatives, and strengthened mental-health response efforts. The administration and council leadership have pointed to those efforts as contributing factors in the city’s decline in homicides and violent crime over the past two years.
Osili also highlighted his work on housing stability and property-tax relief for longtime homeowners in rapidly changing neighborhoods. He worked with bipartisan state lawmakers to help craft Senate Bill 46 in 2023, which created tools to mitigate large property-tax spikes in gentrifying areas.
While stepping away from the presidency marks a significant shift in council leadership, Osili’s announcement makes clear he intends to remain heavily engaged in city governance.
“I will have more to share soon,” he said, hinting that his next chapter in public service may be more focused on targeted policy work rather than the ceremonial and procedural duties of the council president. “For now, my focus remains on the day-to-day work our neighbors count on us to do.”
Osili’s decision sets the stage for what could be a competitive race for council president heading into 2026, as Democrats maintain a large majority but must now determine who will lead the body through the final years of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration—or, depending on political winds, through a transition to new city leadership.
Council insiders expect succession conversations to begin quietly before the end of the year, with a new president likely selected shortly after Osili’s term concludes.
