Another state Republican Party leader is publicly pulling support for Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales — this one calling on Morales to step down entirely.
State Treasurer Daniel Elliott called on Morales to resign from his current position as secretary of state in a statement released early May 22. Elliott joins GOP leaders like U.S. Rep. Jim Banks and Attorney General Todd Rokita in pulling support for Morales’ reelection campaign. Rokita called on Morales, who Republicans worry could lose the November election thanks to a slew of controversies, to suspend his reelection campaign.
“From allegations of corruption and mismanagement to the news that his own chief of staff was a non-citizen illegally registered to vote, these failures have created a constant stream of controversy that has shattered confidence in the office,” Elliott’s statement reads. “I am calling on Diego Morales to resign immediately so the party and state can move forward.”
Banks and Rokita made similar statements May 21, reneging their previous endorsements of Morales. Max Engling, an aide to Banks, threw his hat in the ring and filed to join the secretary of state race the morning of May 20. Banks and Elliott have publicly endorsed Engling.
Morales faces Engling, Knox County Clerk David Shelton and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jamie Reitenour at the GOP’s state convention in June. The winner of the Republican contest will advance to the November general election and face whoever wins the Democratic nomination, as well as Libertarian Lauri Shillings.
Former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will also be on the ballot as a third-party candidate if he gathers enough signatures.
Morales’ time in office has featured a number of controversies earning him criticism from both sides of the aisle, including trips overseas and using taxpayer dollars to select a luxury state vehicle.
Morales has not responded to multiple requests for comment from IndyStar over the course of three days, and a spokesperson said he was unavailable when IndyStar stopped by his office.
Prior to Elliott’s calls to resign immediately, Morales had posted a statement on X on May 21, saying he had no plans to end his reelection bid.
“Delegates will decide who will be the Republican nominee for Indiana secretary of state,” he wrote. “The decision belongs in the hands and only the hands of Republican convention delegates and I’m confident I’ll be renominated.”
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
Contact Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: GOP state official calls for Diego Morales to resign immediately amid mounting criticism
Reporting by Heather Bushman and Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
