Democrat Beau Bayh reported raising nearly $2 million in the first three months of his Indiana Secretary of State campaign, more than every other Democrat who’s vied for the office in more than a decade has raised their entire election cycles.
The massive fundraising haul signals the race could present Democrats’ most viable shot at a statewide office in Indiana, which they haven’t won since 2012. The race is at the top of the ballot in 2026.
Bayh, the product of a political dynasty that includes a former governor and two former U.S. senators, is entering the 2026 election year with a $1.6 million war chest. He’ll face Bargersville business owner Blythe Potter in the Democratic state convention June 6.
“I’m humbled by the support I’ve received in this race and will continue working every day to earn the votes of Hoosiers across the state,” Bayh said in a press release. “Hoosiers are demanding change — an end to the blatant corruption, an end to the no bid contracts, an end to the waste of taxpayer money. Enough is enough, and we’re not backing down.”
While Bayh’s enjoyed several large contributions, most of his donations are under $100, and 85% are from Indiana, according to a campaign press release. His campaign has not yet filed its annual report.
Incumbent Secretary of State Diego Morales, a Republican running for reelection, raised around $1.3 million during the 2022 cycle, according to campaign finance reports. Morales had around $900,000 in cash on hand in June, according to a 2025 semi-annual report. His campaign has not yet filed a new report or released updated numbers but told IndyStar they’re confident Morales has the resources to win.
“We’re keeping pace because we earn support and don’t inherit it,” Morales said in a press release. “Unlike Trust Fund Beau, I don’t rely on my father to raise my money or my profile. I lean on hard work and dedication, the same way I work for all Hoosiers.”
Democrats over the last decade have not breached the $1 million mark. Even Democrat Destiny Wells, whose contest against Morales Democrats hoped would be competitive, raised less than $900,000 for that 2022 campaign.
Bayh’s largest contributors consist of well-known Democrats in Indiana: Multiple members of the Simon family, Marni McKinney of the McKinney Family Foundation, Emmis Communications CEO Jeff Smulyan, among others. Even John Mellencamp gave Bayh $10,000.
A number of his large donors have also given to his father, former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh.
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.
Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Beau Bayh, vying for secretary of state, raises nearly $2 million
Reporting by Marissa Meador and Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
