Three of the four announced Republican candidates for Indiana Secretary of State made their pitch to convention delegates Wednesday night in Hancock County – but one of them didn’t stick around.

Incumbent Secretary of State Diego Morales was the first to address the crowd and the first to exit. He left the event at approximately 6:48 p.m., shortly after his remarks concluded, and did not stay to mingle with or take questions from delegates.

The forum, hosted by Hancock County Republican Party Chair Holly Lawson, drew a full room of activists and delegates as the June 20 GOP state convention in Fort Wayne approaches. Lawson opened by stressing party unity after the primary and urging Republicans to help their nominees “run across the finish line and win in November.”

Lawson introduced Morales and his challengers Max Engling and David Shelton, as well as Laura Elliot, wife of State Treasurer Daniel Elliott, who appeared on his behalf. Lawson also noted that a fourth Secretary of State candidate, Jamie Renauer, has filed but was unable to attend.

Morales Defends Record, Blasts “Distractions”

Morales used much of his time to address recent controversy over hiring practices in his office. He told delegates he wanted them to hear “from my mouth” so there would be “no confusion” about what they may have heard.

Morales insisted he had followed “every protocol and every law to the T,” emphasizing that the Indiana State Personnel Department (SPD) is responsible for clearing state employees.

“Let me be clear, we cannot and we absolutely will not hire anybody without SPD clearing and giving us the green light,” he said, adding that everyone in his office has worked legally and in compliance with the law.

He framed the criticism as a political attack by Democrats and “detractors in our own party” meant to distract from his record. Morales pointed to legislation tightening voter ID rules for mail balloting, requiring proof of citizenship, banning private and foreign money in elections, and cleaning voter rolls. He claimed Indiana now ranks seventh nationally on “election integrity” and reminded delegates of his 2022 general election win, which he described as a “landslide.”

Morales told delegates he is the only candidate with a long record of accomplishments, the fundraising needed to defeat Democrats in November, and a “battle tested” profile. He asked for their support at the June 20 convention.

Engling Stresses Federal Elections Background

Max Engling

The former staffer on the U.S. House Committee on House Administration and for Congressman Jim Banks, argued that Democrats have increasingly targeted election offices as a path to power.

He cited his work in Washington on election issues, including Republican opposition to Democrats’ HR 1, which he characterized as a federal “takeover” of elections, and GOP efforts to block a re-do of the razor-thin 2020 Iowa congressional race won by Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Engling outlined three priorities: closing Indiana’s primaries so only Republicans vote in GOP primaries; ensuring only U.S. citizens cast ballots; and increasing oversight of business registrations to combat fraud, including shell trucking companies that accumulate safety violations and then disappear.

He said those changes would require cooperation with the General Assembly and noted that the chairs of the House and Senate elections committees support his bid. Engling, who lives in Hamilton County with his wife and four children, said he entered the race after repeated encouragement from activists and consultations with Banks, who has endorsed another candidate.

Shelton Runs as Local “Election Nerd”

Knox County Clerk and GOP chair David Shelton presented himself as the only candidate with hands-on local election administration experience.

Shelton said he has served more than seven years as clerk, has been named Indiana Clerk of the Year three times, and has served on multiple recount commissions. He highlighted national recognition from the federal Election Assistance Commission for a voting equipment stabilizer bracket now used in multiple Indiana and Georgia counties and for promoting electronic sample ballots to save costs.

Calling himself an “election nerd,” he said he has helped more than 40 counties and a dozen municipalities with redistricting work. He also cited nearly 30 years as a licensed private investigator and his role in uncovering voter fraud in Knox County, including a 2020 case that resulted in a felony conviction.

Shelton pointed to his work on Senate Bill 113, which extended the retention period for certain election materials, and said he plans to push lawmakers to lengthen it further to match the statute of limitations for election-related crimes. He told delegates he wants “the job to do the job,” calling the Secretary of State’s office a “destination” rather than a political stepping stone, and asked for their support at the convention.