All four candidates running for Indiana secretary of state took part in a televised debate Wednesday night, Oct. 7, giving voters an opportunity to compare their positions on election security, voter participation and the responsibilities of one of Indiana’s highest statewide offices.
Republican Max Engling, Democrat Beau Bayh, Libertarian Lauri Shillings and independent Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard participated in the hourlong event hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission at WFYI’s studios in Indianapolis.
The debate was moderated by University of Indianapolis political science professor Laura Merrifield Wilson and came less than four weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.
The contest has attracted considerable attention because of its competitive nature and the departure of incumbent Republican Secretary of State Diego Morales, who lost his party’s nomination to Engling earlier this year.
The winner will oversee Indiana’s elections, business registrations, securities regulation and other state services.
The candidates entered Wednesday’s debate with sharply different approaches to election administration and restoring public confidence in the office.
Engling, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, has emphasized election security and his experience working with Republican leaders. Bayh, an attorney and Marine Corps veteran, has campaigned on government accountability, political independence and increasing voter participation.
Ballard, a former Indianapolis mayor, has advocated reducing partisan influence over election administration and giving independent candidates a stronger voice. Shillings has focused on election accessibility, government transparency and providing an alternative to the two major political parties.
Those differences were also apparent during the candidates’ first debate in August, when they disagreed over proposed federal voting requirements, an audit of the secretary of state’s office and how to address low voter turnout.
Wednesday’s debate came as early voting was already underway in Indiana. The race is considered unusually competitive, with polling suggesting a potentially close contest.
Republicans have controlled the secretary of state’s office since 1994, but Democrats are hoping to end that streak. Meanwhile, Ballard and Shillings are seeking to demonstrate that independent and third-party candidates can compete in statewide elections.
Voters will decide the race Nov. 3.
