Secretary of State candidate Greg Ballard is calling on the Indiana Election Commission to meet before Election Day to review four campaign finance complaints involving his opponents in the secretary of state’s race.
Two complaints involve Republican Max Engling’s campaign, including questions about a $60,000 contribution from Hoosier Leadership for America, Inc., and whether an event hosted by the group should have been reported as a campaign contribution. Engling’s campaign has said the money was refunded, but the complaint says proof of the refund hasn’t been made public.
The other two complaints involve Democrat Beau Bayh’s campaign and allege failures to disclose certain fundraisers, receptions, meet-and-greets and possible in-kind contributions tied to events hosted by the Indiana Democratic Party.
Ballard, a former Indianapolis mayor running as the Lincoln Party candidate, says the commission hasn’t met since July and should review the complaints before the Nov. 3 election. He says he isn’t seeking a specific outcome, but wants voters to have the information before Election Day.
Ballard has made campaign finance transparency a key part of his campaign and has also proposed making the secretary of state’s office nonpartisan. The race includes Libertarian candidate Lauri Shillings.
