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Hogsett plans bipartisan inauguration

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – When Joe Hogsett takes over as mayor of Indianapolis on New Year’s Day he will do so in unprecedented fashion.

Some might remember Joe Hogsett’s acceptance speech on Election day. The theme was One City. He hopes to give that theme meaning starting on inauguration day by including both Republicans and Democrats in the swearing-in ceremony.

Hogsett, a Democrat, appeared at the City County Building Wednesday along with Democratic Council President Maggie Lewis and GOP Minority Leader Mike McQuillen to announce details of the joint ceremony that will take place at Hilbert Circle Theatre.

Usually Democrats and Republicans hold separate ceremonies.

“We may come from different parts of our city,” said Hogsett. “We may come from different political parties. We may come from different backgrounds but on January 1 we will all swear a common oath to represent the people of Indianapolis.”

“I think this will send a strong message to the community that we are in this together,” said Lewis, “and I look forward to serving with mayor-elect Hogsett and Mike McQuillen.”

Mike McQuillen actually came up with the idea for a joint swearing-in.

“We’re energized, we’re excited,” he said. “We’re gonna do some great things for Indianapolis.”

The ceremony will be free and open to the public. It will take place at noon on New Year’s Day.

Meantime, Hogsett said that he has 25 separate teams working on his transition, a framework that was just put in place on Tuesday.