Carmel mayor candidate Sue Finkam refuses challenge to denounce Moms for Liberty in debate

The Republican and Democratic candidates to be the next mayor of Carmel debated the best path for the city’s future Monday night before a crowd of more than 900 people at the Palladium performing arts venue.

The debate, organized by local news outlet Current in Carmel, featured Republican Sue Finkam and Democrat Miles Nelson who are both members of the Carmel City Council.

Finkam and Nelson are vying to replace longtime Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, who will leave office at the end of this year after leading the city since 1996.

Here are takeaways from the debate:

Moms for Liberty and ‘Magic Miles’

Finkam and Nelson rarely, if ever, butted heads during their last few years together on the Carmel City Council. That was a different case Monday night as both traded jabs at each other on national news stories and their experience.

Nelson went after Finkam for not denouncing Moms for Liberty earlier this summer when the Hamilton County chapter of the organization quoted Adolf Hitler in a newsletter. Finkam in June had denounced Moms for Liberty's use of the Hitler quote, saying it was "unacceptable and directly hurt members of our community" in remarks at Carmel Pride. At the debate Monday, she again said she denounced the quote.

Nelson, though, then asked her on stage to join him in condemning the organization itself. Finkam didn’t respond, which drew groans from the audience.

“She needs the support of Moms for Liberty to win this election," Nelson said.

Moms for Liberty: 5 things to know

Finkam shot back, describing Nelson’s interest in Moms for Liberty and focus on Carmel schools as an illusion in a magic show and even calling Nelson “Magic Miles.”

Throughout the debate, Finkam tried to paint the picture that Nelson lacked experience and a plan for Carmel.

“It’s the role of a true leader to diffuse not fan the flames of divisiveness,” Finkam said during the debate. “That’s what my opponent has been doing. Magic Miles has brought up Moms for Liberty and schools one more time because he doesn’t want you to know he’s not prepared. He hasn’t had any impact and he doesn’t have a plan.”

The mayor’s role in Carmel Clay Schools

Carmel’s city leaders and Carmel Clay Schools are separate entities and do not have much crossover on governance. But throughout the mayoral campaign, Nelson has raised the need for support of the school district.

He did the same at Monday’s debate, emphasizing the school district’s referendum on ballots in November. He warned audience members that Carmel does not want to become Fishers, citing controversies stemming from the Hamilton Southeastern school board this year after the board’s membership saw a conservative shift after 2022 elections.

“We can see in real time what's happening in our next door neighbor of Fishers,” Nelson said.

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Finkam pointed to other ways the city and the mayor’s office can impact schools, such as protecting home values, providing public safety and supporting infrastructure.

“Let's be clear, we're all concerned about our schools,” Finkam said. “But the job of Carmel mayor is not running a library or school or even making any board appointments.”

Housing options in Carmel

Finkam and Nelson have different approaches on whether Carmel needs more affordable housing options and how to provide them to residents.

Finkam said she’s working with fellow Councilor Tony Green on protecting homes in Carmel’s Home Place neighborhood, citing that as an example of taking care of the city’s existing assets before taking on new projects.

“I think the best thing we can do to make sure we have enough attainable housing is protect that which we already have,” Finkam said.

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Nelson said he would look to other cities around the country to see potential approaches Carmel could take to provide more housing options. He said Carmel needs housing options that fit different needs but maintains the community’s “quality of life.”

“Senior citizens need to be able to have homes and stay and continue to live in a more comfortable home within this community,” Nelson said. “First responders and our teachers should be able to live in the community where they protect and educate. This is going to take leadership.”

Shout outs for Mayor Brainard

Both Finkam and Nelson praised Brainard for his vision for the city of Carmel over nearly 30 years, touching on the development of downtown Carmel and the city’s more than 140 roundabouts.

“Under the leadership of Mayor Jim Brainard we have built a dynamic city that is a beacon of light to other cities around the country,” Nelson said in his opening statement.

Finkam said she has learned through Brainard’s mentorship.

“He's helped me grow to be this community's next leader and he's positioned Carmel as a model for other cities to follow,” Finkam said. “It's about excellence.”

The election is Nov. 7.

Contact IndyStar's state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Carmel mayor debate: Sue Finkam won't denounce Moms for Liberty