Moms for Liberty Unexpectedly Becomes a Focal Point in Tense Indiana Mayoral Election

A local chapter of Moms for Liberty in Indiana has adhered to the conservative organization’s national strategy of contesting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in educational systems under the guise of “parental rights.” Surprisingly, the chapter’s objectives, coupled with the use of a quote from Adolf Hitler in its initial newsletter, have inadvertently impacted a mayoral contest that was formerly centered on local development issues.

The divisive nature of Moms for Liberty, which has garnered attention for endorsing like-minded candidates for school boards, has provided an opportunity for left-leaning candidates to leverage public sentiment against the group and energize voters against their conservative rivals.

In Carmel, Indiana, Democratic mayoral candidate and city councilman Miles Nelson has frequently invoked the group in criticisms against his competitor, even though the mayor’s role does not extend to administrative control over educational institutions. Meanwhile, the local chapter has refrained from taking a stance on the mayoral race, focusing primarily on its usual areas of interest.

During a public debate earlier this month, Nelson directly confronted his opponent, fellow councilwoman and Republican Sue Finkam, requesting her to publicly disavow the Moms for Liberty chapter in the area.

Finkam chose not to respond and later accused Nelson of unnecessarily inserting national politics into a local race for leadership in Carmel, a city with nearly 102,000 residents located about 15 miles north of downtown Indianapolis.

The Hamilton County branch of Moms for Liberty informed The Big Big News that it is limited to endorsing school board candidates, and accused Nelson of attempting to “mute parents” through his campaign.

Founded in Florida, the Moms for Liberty organization has contested educational materials covering systemic racism and LGBTQ+ issues, leading the Southern Poverty Law Center to categorize it as an “anti-government extremist group” earlier this year.

Since its creation in 2021, the organization has rapidly gained traction within Republican circles, with five GOP candidates addressing the Moms for Liberty annual summit in Philadelphia this past summer.

Hamilton County, a prosperous suburban area, corresponds with the demographic the group aims to influence, according to a Brookings Institution report. The electoral landscape of Carmel has also shown shifts; it backed Joe Biden in 2020 after supporting Donald Trump in 2016. Trump maintained control over the wider county in 2020, albeit by a reduced margin compared to 2016, based on an analysis by the Indianapolis Star.

Controversy erupted when the local chapter quoted Adolf Hitler in its June newsletter, leading to widespread condemnation. The chapter later issued an apology and edited the publication.

Nelson, who identifies as a devout Jew, has been vocally critical of Moms for Liberty. He has called on Finkam to publicly disavow the group as well, particularly during a recent debate where her lack of response led to vocal outcry from the audience.

Finkam later took to social media, claiming she was unfairly labeled as a “Nazi” and a “racist” post-debate. She remained steadfast, refusing to succumb to what she deemed to be her opponent’s theatrics.

Sue Finkam’s senior campaign adviser, Kory Wood, released a statement asserting that she has repeatedly denounced the group’s controversial use of the quote. Wood criticized Nelson, stating he is unfit for the mayoral role and is using the Moms for Liberty issue to divert attention from his own inadequacies.

Paige Miller, chair of the local Moms for Liberty chapter, stated that Nelson has made his opposition to the group a cornerstone of his campaign strategy. She emphasized the expectation that elected officials uphold constitutional freedoms, including the right to free speech and assembly.

Nelson, however, contends that his ongoing critique of Moms for Liberty aligns with his support for educators and the school district, important elements for attracting business and new residents to Hamilton County.

Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, observed that while Moms for Liberty has succeeded in rallying support, it has also galvanized strong opposition, and association with the group can be detrimental for candidates, as evidenced in the Carmel election.

Similarly, distancing from the group could risk losing its local supporters, even for candidates not directly involved in school board races.

Diane Shaw, a resident who moved to Carmel in 2021, expressed concerns over the group’s influence in the county. Her husband, David Shaw, regards Finkam’s silence as tacit support for what he believes to be a divisive and hateful organization, making Nelson his candidate of choice as a result.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mayoral Race Controversy

More about Mayoral Race Controversy

• Moms for Liberty
• Southern Poverty Law Center on Moms for Liberty
• Brookings Institution Report on Hamilton County
• Indianapolis Star Analysis on Election Results
• Controversy Over Moms for Liberty’s Quote