Session Speaker – Government Consolidation
Louis Mahern
Vice Chairman, MySmartgov.org
Member, Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform

Louis Mahern has served the public in several capacities for virtually his entire adult life.

He was elected to the Indiana Senate in 1976 and began an illustrious 16-year tenure by being named outstanding freshman in 1977 by his colleagues. He was elected Democratic caucus chairman in 1978 and assistant Democratic leader in 1980. He was author of legislation that created White River State Park; that allowed construction of the RCA Dome; and that permitted the placement of group homes for people with developmental disabilities in residential neighborhoods.

Mahern previously served three years as special assistant to U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh and four years as legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs. He was the Democratic candidate for Indianapolis mayor in 1991.

Since leaving elective office, Mahern has accepted appointment to several civic boards: the White River State Park Commission (1996-present); the Indiana State Museum Foundation Board of Directors (1999-2002); the Board of Trustees of the Indianapolis/Marion County Public Library, where he served as president (2005-2007); and the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform (2007).

In his professional life, Mahern has been a contract lobbyist since 1992. Mahern served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961-1965.