Republican Ballard Wins 2nd Term as Indy Mayor

Republican Mayor Greg Ballard is pledging to keep Indianapolis moving forward following his election to a second term.

The Indianapolis Star reports Democratic challenger Melina Kennedy called Ballard just before 9 p.m. Tuesday to concede the hotly contested race.

Ballard led Kennedy by about 7,000 votes with 92 percent of precincts reporting. Libertarian Chris Bowen was a distant third.

Ballard first won election in 2007 with a surprise victory over Kennedy's boss, Democratic incumbent Bart Peterson. Peterson was the only Indianapolis mayor to lose a re-election bid since many city and government services merged under Uni-Gov in 1970.

Ballard's tenure has been highlighted by sales of the city's water and parking systems to make them more efficient but has been rocked by controversies in the police department.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)