Indianapolis, Indiana: Beau Bayh Wins Secretary of State, First Democrat to Win Statewide Since 2012

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (Orbit Post) Democrat Beau Bayh won the race for Indiana secretary of state on Tuesday, Nov. 3, giving Indiana Democrats their first statewide victory since 2012.

With about 90 percent of the vote counted, Bayh had about 51.4 percent to 43 percent for Republican Max Engling, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle count of Tuesday night returns. Greg Ballard, a former Indianapolis mayor running under the Lincoln Party banner, took 3.6 percent, and Libertarian Lauri Shillings took 2 percent. The results are unofficial until the state certifies them.

"Today, Hoosiers voted for change," Bayh told supporters in Indianapolis. "For too long, the people of our state have been taken for granted." He added: "Tonight, we said enough is enough. I did not run to join that system. I ran to fight against it."

A third generation in statewide office

Bayh, 30, is an attorney and a Marine Corps veteran. His father, Evan Bayh, served as Indiana governor and as a U.S. senator. His late grandfather, Birch Bayh, also represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate. Evan Bayh won this same office in 1986 at age 30 and then won the governorship two years later, a path that fed Republican attacks that his son saw the job as a stepping stone.

Bayh rejected that charge after his win. "I've committed to serving a full term in this office. We have a lot of work in the years ahead," he told reporters. He said his plans include an independent audit with public results, an end to straight-ticket voting, and citizen-led ballot initiatives.

How the seat came open

Republicans had held the secretary of state's office through eight elections going back to 1994, and the party had won 23 straight statewide elections since 2014. The streak included Evan Bayh's own failed Senate comeback bid against Todd Young in 2016.

The incumbent, Republican Diego Morales, lost his party's nomination before the general election. Engling, a staffer for U.S. Sen. Jim Banks who entered the race in May, defeated Morales at the state Republican convention in June after leading Republicans pulled their endorsements of Morales amid multiple scandals. Bayh built much of his campaign on what he called corrupt spending of taxpayer money by Morales.

Engling conceded on election night. "The voters have made their decision, and it's not what we wanted, but we fully respect that decision," he said. Bayh said Engling and Republican Gov. Mike Braun both called to congratulate him. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Morales congratulated Bayh and promised a smooth transition, according to the Indianapolis Star.

What happens next

Bayh takes office in January as Indiana's chief elections official, in charge of running state elections and keeping business and campaign records. The last Democrat to win any statewide race in Indiana was Joe Donnelly, who won a U.S. Senate seat in 2012.

His win came on a strong night for Indiana Democrats. J.D. Ford unseated Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz in the 5th Congressional District, and Democrats were also on course to break the Republican supermajority in the Indiana House, according to the Indianapolis Star count on Nov. 4.