William H. Hudnut III

United States Representative (1973–1975) Hudnut won the 1972 Republican primary for Indiana's 11th congressional district, defeating Dan Burton (who would years later win election to the House). Hudnut won the general election, unseating four-term Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr. During his term in Congress, Hudnut sponsored seventeen bills that became law. He was critical of what he believed were high levels of federal spending and taxation, and received a "Watchdog of the Treasury" for his scrutiny towards this. He also received an award from the National Association of Mental Health in recognition of his support for mental health-related bills.

Hudnut's stated goal upon taking office was to change the city from "India-NO-place" to "India-SHOW-place." His mayorship was defined by economic development in downtown Indianapolis, business, construction, and sports. His policies were entrepreneurial, and he hoped to attract economic development by taking risks with raising taxes and issuing bonds. He opposed deficit spending and kept the city's bond rating at AAA. With the newly built Hoosier Dome and other incentives, he secretly negotiated with Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay to bring the team to Indianapolis from Baltimore. On March 29, 1984, he organized the team's middle-of-the-night departure to Indianapolis with Mayflower moving vans, and he called it "one of the greatest days in the history of this city". He also made efforts to approach local groups in the city to see if they could help purchase the struggling Indiana Pacers so they would not be sold to outside interests, which was successful in getting the Simon brothers to buy the team in April 1983.

Hudnut was president of the National League of Cities in 1981, and was a member of the board for over twenty years.

In 1990, Hudnut ran for Indiana Secretary of State, but lost to Joe Hogsett. He chose not to run for a fifth term as mayor in 1991.

Later career Hudnut served at the Hudson Institute in Indianapolis from 1992 to 1994, and was president of the Chicago Civic Federation from 1994 to 1996. from 1996 to 2010. He then taught at the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University in the MPS Real Estate Program, of which he became executive director.

In 2004, Hudnut took office as the mayor of the town of Chevy Chase, Maryland, an office he held until 2006.

Personal life Hudnut was married three times. His first marriage was to Anne Goodyear (1933–2024), granddaughter of Anson Conger Goodyear (1877–1964). Before their divorce in 1974, the couple had five children, four sons and a daughter. On December 14, 1974, he married for a second time to Susan Greer Rice (1934–2018), a real estate agent. They divorced in 1988. In 1989, his third and final marriage was to Beverly Guidara (1959–2024), his former press secretary.

Hudnut was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Hudnut received honorary degrees from 13 colleges and universities. In 1974, he became a Freemason in Irvington Lodge No. 666, which was later absorbed by Prospect Lodge 714. He was also a member of the Antelope Club.

In March 2015, Hudnut announced that he had congestive heart failure and throat cancer.

Works authored Hudnut authored five books:

Indianapolis mayoral elections