by Tom Davies, Indiana Capital Chronicle
November 3, 2026
A new generation of the Bayh family is a winner again for Indiana Democrats.
Beau Bayh prevailed in the secretary of state’s race with about 51.4% of the vote in Tuesday night’s vote tallies over Republican candidate Max Engling’s 43%. About 90% of the vote had been counted statewide.
“Today, Hoosiers voted for change,” Bayh told a jubilant crowd of Democrats in Indianapolis. “For too long, the people of our state have been taken for granted. Too many decisions have been made behind closed doors by insiders. Too many families have played by the rules, while the people in the halls of power have played by a different set.”
The victory by the 30-year-old attorney and Marine Corps veteran is the first statewide win for a Democratic candidate since the 2012 election.
Bayh’s success makes him the standard bearer among Indiana Democrats, following in the footsteps of his father, former governor and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, and late grandfather, U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh.
“Tonight, we said enough is enough. I did not run to join that system. I ran to fight against it. I’m not here to answer to party bosses, big donors, or the state house insiders. I’m here to answer to you. Hoosiers work hard for their money, and they deserve to know how every dollar is spent,” Bayh said.
Former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, running under the Lincoln Party banner, received 3.6% of the vote — giving the new party enough support to clinch four-year automatic ballot status for its nominees in what was a goal to help what he called “independent-minded candidates.”
Libertarian Lauri Shillings pulled in 2% to maintain the party’s ballot status that it has held since the 1994 election.
Engling spoke to a subdued crowd at the Republican event.
“The voters have made their decision, and it’s not what we wanted. It’s not what we’re pushing for, but we fully respect that decision,” he said.
This story will be updated.
