INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana secretary of state candidates Max Engling and Beau Bayh clashed over oversight of the office, contracts for campaign donors and election integrity in a debate at Fox 59 studios.
Engling argued the campaign should focus on the secretary of state’s responsibilities, rather than issues such as data centers and taxes. He also criticized Bayh’s proposal to have a private investigator review the office, saying the investigator could not compel records or testimony. Engling said the state inspector general would be better equipped to conduct an investigation.
Bayh rejected that criticism, saying the office has access to its own records. He accused Engling of avoiding an independent review and said he would take responsibility for it himself.
“I’m going to take the initiative and clean up this corruption. I’m going to do it myself,” Bayh said.
The candidates also sparred over an ethics pledge concerning contracts for campaign donors. Bayh said Engling had not directly answered whether he would refuse to award contracts to donors. Engling said contracts should be awarded through a transparent, competitive process and taxpayer money should be used efficiently.
“It’s not my money; it’s taxpayers from around the state. It’s their money. My job is to use it well,” Engling said.
Bayh said he was open to reviewing an ethics pledge, while arguing that candidates should be judged by their actions and compliance with existing laws. He also criticized Engling’s campaign for employing a fundraiser whom Bayh said had been reported to be involved in donor-related controversies. Engling did not address that allegation in detail during the exchange.
Both candidates said they want to increase voter participation, but discussed different approaches. Bayh welcomed Engling’s support for expanding voting hours, saying limited polling hours can make voting difficult for working people and parents. Engling urged voters to take part in the election and said his campaign was focused on reaching voters before election day.
The candidates also discussed election safeguards. Engling said he supports voter ID and called for affirmative verification of citizenship, referring to the proposed Save America Act. Bayh said he supports voter ID and a zero-tolerance approach to illegal voting. He cited 21 instances of illegal voting that he said had been uncovered in Indiana, and said only one case had moved to prosecution.
Bayh defended discussing data centers and taxes, saying he wants to advocate for Hoosiers beyond the office’s direct responsibilities. He criticized tax treatment for data-center developers and raised concerns about local input and potential effects on electricity costs.
“I want to be an advocate for Hoosiers beyond the narrow confines of this office,” Bayh said.
Engling countered that those issues are outside the secretary of state’s purview and said the debate should center on the office’s responsibilities.
The candidates also addressed a potential defamation lawsuit. Engling said his campaign was processing a lawsuit over a television advertisement that he said falsely claimed he had been charged and convicted of reckless driving eight times. Bayh called the lawsuit frivolous and defended the ad, citing Engling’s driving record. Engling denied having been charged or convicted of reckless driving.
After the debate, University of Indianapolis political scientist Laura Wilson said the candidates often agreed on desired outcomes but differed over how to achieve them. She cited voter participation as an example, noting their discussion of expanded voting hours and other barriers to voting.
Wilson said the two candidates avoided major missteps. She described Bayh as more aggressive during the debate, while Engling appeared more cautious.
