The city of Gary has yet another caucus to schedule this year following Wednesday night’s results for the council’s Fourth District seat.
Marian Ivey, who was an at-large councilwoman, won against Shanita Starks, a local entrepreneur.
Eight precinct committee members were eligible to vote, and the two women were tied after one round of voting. Per Indiana law, Chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party Jim Wieser broke the tie and voted for Ivey.
Ivey’s status as a councilwoman did not impact Wieser’s decision, he said Wednesday following his vote.
“I’ve had the opportunity to know Marian (Ivey) for quite some time,” Wieser said. “She’s a great employee in the auditor’s office. She’s a hard worker, and she’s done a great job in the time that she’s been at-large.”
Following her win, Ivey said she’s excited to get to work in the Fourth District.
“This is where I live, this is where I serve,” she said. “Why wouldn’t I want to step up to continue effective leadership in the Fourth District?”
She was sworn in as Fourth District councilwoman Wednesday night, resigning as at-large councilwoman. A caucus must be scheduled within 30 days of her resignation.
Ivey was first elected to the Gary Common Council in an April 2024 caucus and replaced Ron Brewer Jr., who joined the Lake County Council after Clorius Lay died in February 2024. She also has served as a Fourth District precinct committee member since 2018.
The councilwoman replaces Calumet Township Trustee Tai Adkins, who held the Fourth District position until her caucus win on Jan. 16. Adkins was president of the Gary Common Council until her resignation following the legislative body’s Jan. 21 meeting.
Before the caucus, Ivey said two of her mentors include Adkins and late councilwoman Carolyn Rogers, who served the district from 2000 to 2020.
Ivey plans to rely on Adkins for support and guidance as she steps into her new role.
“I have big shoes to fill, but I also have to step into my own,” she said.
As the representative for Gary’s Fourth District, Ivey wants to bring more attention to small businesses and focus on accessibility, especially for the area’s senior citizens. She plans to advocate for more accessible parking in strip malls and high-rise buildings.
Ivey also will continue to work with city leadership to create better railroad crossings throughout Gary, she said.
Following her loss Wednesday, Starks expressed her disappointment, especially with Wieser’s decision. She believes the Fourth District could’ve had more representation on the council if she was elected and Ivey stayed as an at-large member.
Starks also questioned the legality of allowing Ivey to move between council positions. She expressed her concerns to Wieser Wednesday night.
“We need to look into the ethics of this,” Starks said. “Someone who already had the role and was sworn in was sworn in again. … Today, we had the chance to leave with a good handle on things.”
Nothing in Indiana law prohibits Ivey from moving between positions on the council, Wieser said.
“People can question if it’s the right thing, is it the ethical thing, is it the appropriate political thing,” he added. “Those are all issues people can debate.”
Starks on Wednesday night was unsure if she will run in the upcoming at-large caucus, but she said the Fourth District caucus was “just the beginning” for her.
As of Wednesday night, Ivey said there was “no one specific in mind” that she wants in her former position. She did want whoever files for candidacy to know the commitment and responsibilities council members must have.
“It’s a lot of your time,” Ivey said. “It’s a lot of sacrifice, it’s a lot of work. … That person would definitely have to have tough skin and be strong enough to have the time and to still carry themselves in a civilized manner to handle what the council does.”