INDIANAPOLIS — Two local stars of an HGTV show are now in the middle of the Indianapolis Mayoral race.
Thursday, Republican mayoral candidate, Jim Merritt, criticized Mayor Joe Hogsett for claiming the house at 1230 South Talbott was a success story. Merritt said it was an example of failed neighborhood revitalization.
Hogsett has made it a priority to address blight.
The stars of HGTV's 'Good Bones,' Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak, bought the home from the city months ago, but say they just hadn't be able to work on the house because they have more than a dozen they're working on right now.
The stars were there on Friday to begin demo and say it's just a coincidence that it's happenign now.
"I say today without resolution and without qualification, that it absolutely is a success story," Hogsett said.
"I could see how it looks a little fishy but this has been on our docket for a while," Starsiak said. "We demoed one yesterday down the block. This was next up."
Merritt's campaign released a statement saying Hogsett is taking credit for a success that is not completed.
“When I discovered earlier this week that 1230 South Talbott Street was owned by Two Chicks and a Hammer, I knew at some point in the future this home would be a success story. I hope they continue their fantastic work here in Indianapolis and rebuild hundreds more homes. This particular home and many others I found prove my point that the mayor is embellishing his record. He has taken credit for a success that is not completed. The fact of the matter is this home and others on his list of more than 2,500 ‘transformed’ homes are simply unlivable today. By claiming otherwise, that is the very definition of fraud.”
