It’s a new race for secretary of state

They say a lot can happen in an Indiana week. Turns out a lot can happen in an Indiana day. Within a 24-hour period last week, the landscape of the Indiana secretary of state’s race dramatically shifted for both Republicans and Democrats

The fact that Diego Morales hired an immigrant legally in the U.S. — but not a citizen — in his office was the last straw according to top Republican officials, including U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, Attorney General Todd Rokita and Treasurer Daniel Elliott.

Banks immediately found a candidate he preferred instead — convincing Max Engling, who works for Banks — to enter the race. A cascade of support then magically appeared overnight for Engling, a second-time candidate and relative unknown who lived and worked in D.C. for more than a decade before moving back to Indiana in 2023.

I guess something had to be the last straw, though it’s hard to see how GOP leaders ignored all the other warning signs with Morales.

Morales refuses to drop out after Banks, Rokita withdraw support in GOP secretary of state race

He hired his brother-in-law in a newly created position; gave no-bid contracts to at least two political donors; gave large spot bonuses to every employee of his office; bought a $90,000 SUV for his office transportation; renewed a contract that is costing the state over market price for vehicle history reports; disappeared for 10 days on a mysterious trip to India and led statewide office holders in state-paid travel.

That was all since he was elected in 2022 after previously being fired from the same office.

But I digress. Back to what is now the most interesting convention race I have ever seen that will unfold between now and June 20.

Morales has lost campaign staff since last week’s gamechanger. But it doesn’t mean the race is over. A contest with multiple challengers generally favors the incumbent, and Morales now has three opponents alongside David Shelton and Jamie Reitenour.

Can Morales’ repeat visits to Indiana counties in recent years help him hold onto support? He is well known for attending many local party events and knowing delegates personally. Will they remain loyal or move with the establishment?

I feel bad for Shelton, especially, who has been running for the office for months and, as a county clerk, actually has experience running elections — arguably the most important part of the office’s duties. It appears Banks and company didn’t even consider backing him for the post.

Gov. Mike Braun continues to stay out of the fray, though he did acknowledge Morales’ troubles.

“I’ve been very clear: don’t make headlines for the wrong way. You will be taken to task when you want to get your job renewed,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “When it comes to whatever you may have to do to explain why folks are upset, I would expect you to do that, and I’m guessing over the next 30 days or so till the convention, he’ll have to figure that out.”

Democratic impact

If Morales is defeated at convention, the biggest impact might be on Indiana Democrats. It’s no secret that the party has been looking for a spark. A campaign against a scandal-ridden candidate had many Democrats excited about the opportunity to hold a statewide office for the first time since 2017.

I think Beau Bayh will prevail over Blythe Potter on June 6. But regardless of the nominee, without Morales as a clear focus, the fall campaign becomes much more challenging. The ads against Morales practically write themselves.

It’s reminiscent of when Attorney General Todd Rokita decided to challenge then-AG Curtis Hill at the convention in 2020 after Hill’s law license was suspended for groping four women an Indianapolis bar.

When Rokita prevailed, it pre-empted a clear line of attack for Democrats about returning integrity to the office.

Neither Engling nor Shelton have much of a public record to attack, which means the race will be about relatively administrative office proposals. And money, of course. As of April 15, Bayh had amassed $2 million and Morales had $1.2 million on hand.

No matter who ultimately becomes the GOP nominee, the party infrastructure will ensure the person has the money needed to compete. After all, it’s a point of pride that Republicans hold all the power in state government.

And let’s not forger that former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is seeking to be on the ballot as an independent, which could scramble the usual voting patterns in November.

I, for one, will be watching the upcoming state conventions with more interest than usual — and you should, too.