A midwestern urban Republican mayor reveals the success of his moderate approach to governing. Throughout his eight years as mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard did what he thought was right, looking out for the long-term health of his city with political implications being the last of considerations. This included a pointed critique of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by then governor Mike Pence. Relying on his well-trained and efficient staff, he ensured that the city moved aggressively forward with little political interference. Never taking a poll to see which way the winds were blowing, Ballard was not a normal politician. He was a Marine who had traveled the world, been to war, and had returned to his hometown to serve again. Ballard was that rarity in American politics, an urban Republican, moderate in views and practical in governing, and always completely dedicated to his city. Thoughtful and brimming with insights, Greg Ballard's inspirational story offers a compelling blueprint for American politics going forward.
After a twenty-three year career in the US Marine Corps and retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Greg Ballard returned home to Indianapolis in 2001. In 2007, he ran a successful campaign to become the 48th Mayor of Indianapolis, subsequently serving two terms. He is the author of Less Oil or More Caskets: The National Security Argument for Moving Away From Oil.
Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Background 1. An Amazing Evening 2. Unguided 3. Needed Structure 4. Things Get Real 5. Recruiter 6. Civilian 7. Winnie 8. The Campaign Part II: Mayor and Beyond 9. Putting the Team Together 10. The Philosophy 11. Infrastructure 12. Public Safety 13. Money 14. Good Government 15. Education 16. The Government Must Care 17. Going Global 18. Sustainability 19. Indy's Super Bowl 46: The Gold Standard 20. RFRA: The Religious Freedom Law That Was Not About Religious Freedom 21. Next Steps 22. Is There a Future for Urban Republicans?
"Greg Ballard's Urban Republican Mayor is a thoughtful and insightful reflection on leadership, innovation, and governing with pragmatism. Always focused on doing the right things for the right reasons, his experience as mayor of Indianapolis offers valuable lessons for policymakers, business leaders, and anyone invested in the future of American cities." - David Rosenberg, former Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Ballard "Greg Ballard's vision led Indianapolis through undeniable transformative growth, prioritizing public safety, modernizing our city's infrastructure and promoting social, cultural, and economic growth. This book offers a powerful glimpse into the heart and mind of a pragmatic leader whose legacy of progress will continue to inspire those who are interested in public service and civic engagement." - Daniel J. Elsener, President, Marian University "Greg Ballard was a compassionate and visionary mayor for Indianapolis. His leadership and innovative ideas gave our city a strong reputation for good government throughout the country." - Bob Grand, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg "Urban Republican Mayor is a must-read for anyone passionate about leadership, public service, and the enduring impact of visionary mayors. Mayor Ballard carefully lays out the foundation of an ethical and results driven administration." - Troy Riggs, Executive Director, Alliance for Innovation "A must-read for those interested in public service. A thoughtful description of the pathway of a Marine, which proved to be an unexpected training ground for a great Mayor." - Melissa Proffitt, Partner in Charge of Client Relations, Ice Miller LP "From the Super Bowl to Snow Force, Mayor Greg Ballard's leadership changed Indianapolis in ways that could not be foreseen and must not be forgotten." - Robert Vane, Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director, Office of Mayor Ballard "Mayor Ballard lays out his approach to governing and leadership that brought about major change to Indianapolis, and the team he built to extend the city's success. This book is a wonderful reference for future leaders who want to make significant changes to their community." - Jason Dudich, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Indiana University "Urban Republican Mayor provides a valuable perspective on Mayor Greg Ballard's pragmatic leadership in Indianapolis, highlighting his efforts to expand meaningful STEM education for all students through competitive robotics and create opportunities for the next generation. His approach to governance, rooted in practicality and collaboration, stands apart from the more polarized political climate we see today, emphasizing results over rhetoric." - George Giltner, President and CEO, TechPoint Foundation for Youth "It has been more than ten years since Mayor Ballard last served Indianapolis as our mayor. Yet, the fundamental message of this book - that a grounded, moral, practical leader can do so much good for so many-is even more meaningful today than perhaps ever before." - Chris W. Cotterill, Goelzer Investment Management Chief Operating Officer and former Chief of Staff for Mayor Ballard "Greg Ballard is an anomaly in modern day politics. As a person, he is genuine and caring but he also possesses an uncanny political instinct that allowed him to rise above traditional politics. He upset a heavily funded two-term mayor because he believed in himself and he convinced a predominantly democrat electorate to believe in him too. Practicing what he preached, Greg led by example - always doing the right thing for the right reasons - even when it was politically unpopular. He expected no less from his team. Greg truly loves the city of Indianapolis and unquestionably left the city in a better place than what he inherited." - Joseph Loftus, Barnes & Thornburg
