By Sydney Byerly
The Indiana Citizen
May 22, 2026
Top Indiana Republicans are divided over the race for secretary of state, with some of the party’s most prominent figures seeking to sideline embattled incumbent Diego Morales ahead of the June state GOP party convention and other key Republicans saying they plan to let the delegates decide.
The filing deadline closed May 21 and the Republican field is now set for the June 19 and 20 two-day convention in Fort Wayne. Delegates will choose among four candidates: Morales, U.S. Sen. Jim Banks’ Central Indiana regional director Max Engling, a businesswoman and former 2024 gubernatorial candidate Jamie Reitenour, and the Knox County clerk and chair of the Knox County Republican Party David Shelton.
Engling entered the race at the last minute, as Banks publicly withdrew his endorsement of Morales dramatically escalating internal GOP concerns about the secretary’s viability in November.
Democrats will choose their nominee at the party’s June 6 convention, where Beau Bayh — the son of former Democratic Gov. and U.S Sen. Evan Bayh — and Blythe Potter, a small business owner, will compete for the nomination.
Libertarians have already nominated Lauri Shillings for secretary of state, while former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is mounting an independent bid that has already reshaped the political dynamics surrounding the race.
Morales has rejected calls to leave the race and is framing the nomination battle as a question for convention delegates alone.
“Delegates will decide who will be the Republican nominee for Indiana Secretary of State,” Morales wrote in a social media post Thursday. “The decision belongs in the hands and only the hands of Republican convention delegates and I’m confident I’ll be renominated.”
He added that he “welcomed more competition into this race” and said he looked forward to the convention.
Here’s a look at where prominent Indiana Republicans stand on the race:
U.S Sen. Jim Banks told Indiana Capital Chronicle: “Diego worked hard and did many good things but he lied to me about hiring a non-citizen as his chief of staff who illegally registered to vote so I withdrew my endorsement and recruited a stronger candidate who can win in November.”
Banks later endorsed Engling directly, writing on social media that “Max’s background in working on election integrity issues in the House of Reps for nearly a decade prepares him well to be our next Secretary of State in Indiana!”
Attorney General Todd Rokita: “The Secretary of State’s office is too important to be lost to out-of-touch, left-wing Democrats who put Hoosiers last. To that end, I have asked Diego to suspend his campaign. With so many self-inflicted wounds and issues, I now do not believe he can win in November.”
Treasurer Daniel Elliott: “We’ve watched the SOS office struggle through corruption and scandals. Then his own Chief of Staff was here illegally. These aren’t just embarrassments—they’re gifts to Democrats. As the father of a 14-year-old, I teach integrity and accountability every day. Republicans must hold ourselves to those same standards. Diego Morales no longer reflects our values and is a weight on our ticket. You have the power to change that. I believe you will.”
In a separate statement, Elliott directly called on Morales to resign.
“From allegations of corruption and mismanagement to the news that his own Chief of Staff was a non-citizen and illegally registered to vote, these failures have created a constant stream of controversy that has shattered confidence in the office,” Elliott said. “I am calling on Diego Morales to resign immediately so the party and the state can move forward.”
Rep. Andrew Ireland, R-Indianapolis: “My friend Max Engling is an America First patriot, and he will make an outstanding Secretary of State. Max understands the importance of election security, transparent government, and protecting Hoosier taxpayers.”
Engling announced he chose Ireland to serve as chairman of his convention campaign.
U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin: “Max Engling is the leader I trust to win, do the job, and to serve Hoosiers well as our next Secretary of State.”
U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym: “Max is a proven conservative fighter with real experience standing up for election integrity, small businesses, and Hoosier values. He’s the strong leader we need!”
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz urged Morales and any other candidates to withdraw and unite behind Engling, saying he had her “complete and total endorsement.”
And U.S. Rep. Jim Baird described Engling as “a principled conservative who will work tirelessly for Hoosiers every single day.”
“Max understands the importance of protecting election integrity, supporting Indiana businesses, and delivering results for our state,” Baird said. “This race is too important to risk, and Republicans must unite behind a strong candidate who can win in November.”
Some Republican state lawmakers have also publicly expressed support for Engling entering the race.
Gov. Mike Braun told Indiana Capital Chronicle: “Whenever you try to intervene and say ‘this or that,’ I don’t like that in general. I like a process that invites criticism if it’s necessary, different viewpoints.”
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith: “Convention races belong to the delegates, and they have my full faith and support to make their choice in who will become the Republican nominee for the Secretary of State of Indiana.
The Indiana Citizen also contacted Republican U.S. Reps. Mark Messmer, Jefferson Shreve and Marlin Stutzman, along with Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young, to ask whether they plan to endorse a candidate in the race. None had publicly weighed in as of Friday afternoon.
Neither House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, have not made any public statements about Morales or Engling.
Sydney Byerly is a political reporter who grew up in New Albany, Indiana. Before joining The Citizen, Sydney reported news for TheStatehouseFile.com and most recently managed and edited The Corydon Democrat & Clarion News in southern Indiana. She earned her bachelor’s in journalism at Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism (‘Sco Griz!).
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed and engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. For questions about the story, contact Marilyn Odendahl at marilyn.odendahl@indianacitizen.org.
