Who's In Line To Be The Next CCC President?

Republican CCC President Ryan Vaughn may have won an easy re-election bid over his Democratic opponent, Len Farber, but he will lose his position as council president thanks to the Democrats' 16-13 majority on the newly-elected council. The question now is which of the 16 Democrats will be chosen to lead the new majority. African-Americans make up half of the Democrats' caucus. Although Monroe Gray would like to reclaim the title he held the last time Democrats were in charge of the council since the party's current caucus leader, Joanne Sanders, opted out of running for re-election, a number of the council Democrats are less than enthused about that possibility given the ethical problems that clouded his previous tenure. Strong pressure remains, however, to ensure the position goes to an African-American, the Democrats most reliable bloc of voters in Indianapolis. Reliable sources believe newcomer Vop Osili, winner of District 15, is a likely compromise choice between black and white Democratic council members to become the new council president. Osili, the former owner of an architectural firm with deep ties to the pay-to-play crowd that financed this year's mayoral and council races, will also be seen as the best choice for party fundraising purposes. It also doesn't hurt that Osili is very articulate and the caucus member best able to bridge differences within the Democratic caucus. Vaughn is expected to retain the leadership helm of the Republican caucus in the role as Minority Leader.