James Brainard

James Brainard
Mayor of Carmel, Indiana
In office
January 1, 1996 – January 1, 2024
Preceded byTed Johnson
Succeeded bySue Finkam
Personal details
Born1954 (age 71–72)
PartyRepublican
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Lecturer
  • politician
WebsiteOfficial website
NicknameJim

James Brainard (born 1954) is a retired American politician of the Republican Party who served as the fifth mayor of Carmel, Indiana, a principal city in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, from 1996 to 2024. At the time he left office on January 1, 2024, he was one of Indiana's longest serving mayors. During his tenure as mayor, Carmel's population grew from 25,000 in 1996 to 102,000 in 2021 and saw the creation of substantial downtown redevelopment. Brainard's term expired on January 1, 2024.