Politics
Indiana secretary of state candidates clash over office review, voting rules
Democrat Beau Bayh and Republican Max Engling argued over how to investigate controversies in the secretary of state’s office and how to enforce voter eligibility during an Indianapolis debate. The race also featured personal accusations, while two other candidates were excluded under the broadcasters’ qualification rules.
INDIANAPOLIS — Democrat Beau Bayh and Republican Max Engling used an Oct. 22 debate to outline competing plans for Indiana’s secretary of state’s office, spar over voting rules and exchange personal accusations as they vie for a position that oversees elections, business registrations and securities regulation.
Both candidates said the office should be investigated following controversies involving outgoing Republican Secretary of State Diego Morales, including allegations about spending, family hires and contracts awarded to donors. The candidates disagreed on who should conduct the review.
Bayh has proposed an independent audit led by Knox County Clerk David Shelton, a Republican. Engling said the state inspector general should lead the investigation, arguing that the office has the authority to compel documents and examine emails. “You need to have the person that actually has the authority to compel documents, to look at emails, to investigate dozens of people and make sure what the office has done is proper, or if not, hold it accountable,” Engling said.
The debate, hosted by FOX59 and CBS4, included only Bayh and Engling. Libertarian Lauri Shillings and Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard did not meet Nexstar’s qualification standards, which included a 10% polling threshold. Bayh said he wanted all four candidates included; Engling’s campaign accused Bayh of trying to avoid a one-on-one debate.
A Free Press Indiana poll cited ahead of the debate had Bayh at 43%, Engling at 35%, Shillings at 6% and Ballard at 5%, with 11% undecided.
The candidates also clashed over voter eligibility. Both support Indiana’s voter ID requirements and extending early-voting hours. Engling supports the federal SAVE America Act and proposed color-coded IDs to help poll workers distinguish citizens from legal noncitizens. Bayh said county clerks should help identify ineligible registrations and criticized officials for prosecuting only one person among 21 whom state officials said a federal review had identified as noncitizen voters.
Bayh also supports citizen-led ballot initiatives, including a possible way for voters to challenge partisan gerrymandering. He said some lawmakers prioritize special interests over working people. Engling warned that outside groups could use ballot measures to mislead voters and said policy should instead be enacted by the General Assembly.
Personal attacks also surfaced. Bayh accused Engling of associating his father, former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, with Jeffrey Epstein without evidence. Engling said he intends to sue over a Bayh campaign advertisement concerning his driving history.
The winner will take charge of election administration as well as business registrations and securities regulation. Democrats see the contest as an uncommon opportunity to win a statewide office in Indiana, where Republicans have held statewide offices for years. Election Day is Nov. 3.