What precinct chairs really think about the candidates for mayor
Granted anonymity, several shared their opinions on the contenders in next Saturday’s caucus
Last November, more than 46,000 Fort Wayne residents went to the polls to choose who would be our mayor for the next four years.
Next Saturday, just 98 people — all Democratic Party precinct chairs — will decide who fills out the remaining three and a half years of that term.
Seven candidates have filed for the April 20 caucus to replace Mayor Tom Henry, but only five are considered serious candidates, according to party insiders:
Michelle Chambers
Stephanie Crandall
Phil GiaQuinta
Austin Knox
Sharon Tucker
Since Henry’s death on March 28, I’ve spoken with multiple precinct chairs about those contenders. They’ve each received personal calls from the candidates, and while most remain uncommitted, they’ve at least narrowed it down to two or three choices.
Their criteria is fairly consistent, in this order of importance:
Who is most likely to win re-election in 2027?
Who would do a good job as mayor?
Diversity
What follows is a summary of what I’ve been hearing, along with a bit of background information for Fort Wayne Politics readers still getting to know the candidates.
Michelle Chambers
In addition to her at-large position on Fort Wayne City Council, Chambers is currently a business education teacher at Fort Wayne Community School’s Amp Lab at Electric Works. She’s also the principal consultant at EduStrive Solutions, a firm that specializes in educational innovation, business development, and public service excellence.
Precinct chair buzz
The strongest argument for Chambers’ candidacy is her electability. In terms of pure political skill, most think she stands head and shoulders above the other candidates, and she’s already proven she can win tough citywide races.
Last fall, she netted 21,952 votes in her successful re-election bid, tops among all city council candidates and just 1,995 behind Henry’s total. That’s resonating with precinct chairs.
They also like the idea of making Chambers — or Sharon Tucker — the first Black and first female mayor of Indiana’s second largest city. (Cosette Simon was acting mayor of Fort Wayne for 11 days after Win Moses was forced to temporarily resign in 1985 for campaign finance violations.)
There are some doubts, however, about Chambers’ ability as an executive to lead and manage the various departments and employees she would oversee as mayor. A few chairs also expressed discomfort at how eager she appeared to want to succeed Henry in the days immediately after he announced his cancer diagnosis.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in child development from Cal State Los Angeles
Master’s degree in public administration from National University
Electoral history
2015: Lost general election for City Council (At-Large); won a contested caucus to fill the remaining month and a half of City Clerk Sandy Kennedy’s term after Kennedy resigned following allegations of impropriety
2019: Elected to City Council (At-Large)
2023: Re-elected to City Council (At-Large)
Stephanie Crandall
For nearly eleven years, Crandall has been the director of intergovernmental affairs for Mayor Tom Henry. In that role, she provides strategic counsel on matters related to all levels of government — local, state, and federal — to achieve legislative, administrative, and community goals benefiting local residents.
Last year she ran for an at-large seat on City Council but lost in the general election.
Precinct chair buzz
Crandall’s current role inside the Henry administration is something precinct chairs see as an asset. They respect her policy credentials, think she understands what the job of mayor entails more than the other candidates, and would be the least disruptive choice in terms of continuing Henry’s policies and initiatives.
They have serious concerns, however, when it comes to the political part of the equation. Several mentioned that they think Crandall struggles with the in-person campaigning her late boss was so good at. The fact that she hasn’t yet won an election is another hurdle for them.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Ohio Northern University
Juris doctorate from William & Mary Law School
Electoral History
2023: Lost general election for City Council (At-Large)
Phil GiaQuinta
GiaQuinta is the current House Minority Leader in the Indiana General Assembly. In that role, he works with the other elected Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives to set the agenda, message, and strategy for their caucus. He is also a customer account manager for Fort Wayne City Utilities.
Precinct chair buzz
GiaQuinta is turning out to be a polarizing candidate, which is a bit surprising considering how well-liked he is personally by everyone I spoke with.
They recognize he is the caucus candidate with the most political and electoral experience, has a history of successfully navigating the different constituencies within the Democratic Party, and has shown an ability to raise the kind of money it takes to win a mayor’s race in Fort Wayne.
But, like Henry, GiaQuinta is an older white man — he will turn 60 in September — and for several precinct chairs I spoke with, that’s a dealbreaker, especially with other qualified candidates running who are Black, female, or both.
There is also concern that he’s never had to run a competitive citywide race. (His statehouse district is safely Democratic.) One precinct chair wondered how well his years of legislative experience would translate to an executive position like mayor.
And then there is his brother Mark GiaQuinta, whose name was brought up unprompted multiple times in my conversations with precinct chairs. Unlike Phil, Mark is a divisive figure among local Democrats; many are worried that if Phil becomes mayor, Mark would have an outsized influence on him, and by extension, on the city.
Education
Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University
Electoral History
2006: Elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2008: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2010: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2012: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2014: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2016: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2018: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2020: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
2022: Re-elected to the Indiana State Legislature (District 80)
Austin Knox
Knox is the Wayne Township Trustee, an elected position that gives him the responsibility for financial management, community services, public welfare, and various administrative functions within Wayne Township. (Wayne Township comprises approximately a third of Fort Wayne.)
Precinct chair buzz
Everyone seems to feel good about Knox and his tenure as Wayne Township Trustee. The precinct chairs I spoke with believe he’s done positive things for the township and capably managed that office, its budget, and his employees.
They like him and think he has shown the potential to be a successful candidate for other offices: city council, state legislature, and even mayor.
But nearly all of them said they feel like he’s not yet ready to take on Fort Wayne’s top job. His age — Knox is 32 — and relatively short political resume are the two main reasons they cite in explaining why.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in political science from what was then IPFW
Electoral History
2020: Won an uncontested caucus to replace retiring Wayne Township Trustee Rick Stevenson
2022: Elected Wayne Township Trustee
Sharon Tucker
The current Fort Wayne City Council member representing the sixth district, Tucker is also the executive director of Vincent Village, a non-profit organization that provides shelter, care, advocacy, affordable housing and supportive services for homeless families
Precinct chair buzz
Although she’s not as well-known as some of the other candidates in the race, the precinct chairs I spoke with see Tucker as a leader with the skills necessary to be mayor.
They like that she’s been an effective advocate for southeast Fort Wayne, shown she can work with Republicans in her time on County Council and City Council, and — as with Chambers — appreciate that choosing a Black woman would be a historic milestone for the city.
Tucker’s drawbacks, in their view, are mostly political. After representing two reliably Democratic districts over the past ten years, some wonder if she can win a citywide race in 2027. Another concern: will she be able to raise the money necessary to beat the Republican nominee?
Education
Bachelor’s degree in management from Indiana Tech
Bachelor’s degree in human resources from Indiana Tech
Electoral History
2010: Lost general election for County Council (At-Large)
2014: Elected to County Council (District 1)
2018: Re-elected to County Council (District 1)
2019: Elected to City Council (District 6)
2023: Re-elected to City Council (District 6)
I think you've nailed your assessment of the candidates, though I do regret that voters have limited opportunities to weigh in on such an important position. While I was able to look up my precinct number, I couldn't find any resource on line listing the person who will represent me in this vote. I would be curious in any perspectives you (or people you talk to) can offer on the voting track records of Chambers and Tucker. As a casual follower of city council, I've noticed a number of times where they have tended to side with republicans like Ensley on issues rather than moderates like Paddock or Freistroffer (sp?).
Poll is closed, but my choice would be Michelle Chambers. I've followed her for several years now, and i think she would be a good Mayor for FW. And, i think she works well with both parties, as does Sharon Tucker. I have a lot of respect for Chambers, Tucker and Knox. I think Crandall is an up-and-comer. I hope she continues to stay active and remains pushed to run for elected positions.