Politics
Powerful Red State Official Caught Hiring Illegal Alien As Chief Of Staff
Another top Indiana Republican is cutting ties with Secretary of State Diego Morales, and this time it comes with a blunt demand that he step aside.
State Treasurer Daniel Elliott called on Morales to resign in a statement released early May 22, pointing to what he described as a steady string of controversies that have dogged Morales’ office.
“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 said. “I am calling on Diego Morales to resign immediately so the party and state can move forward.”
Elliott joins other GOP leaders who have publicly withdrawn support for Morales’ reelection bid, including U.S. Rep. Jim Banks and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. Rokita has urged Morales to suspend his campaign, while Banks has backed a challenger after previously endorsing Morales.
Morales is facing a contested nomination fight at the Indiana GOP state convention in June. He is slated to face Max Engling, an aide to Banks who filed to run May 20, as well as Knox County Clerk David Shelton and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jamie Reitenour.
The winner will advance to the November general election against the Democratic nominee and Libertarian Lauri Shillings. Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is also pursuing the ballot as a third-party candidate if he gathers enough signatures.
Morales’ time in office has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, including over overseas travel and the use of taxpayer dollars tied to a luxury state vehicle, according to previous reports.
Morales did not immediately respond to requests for comment from IndyStar in recent days. A spokesperson said he was unavailable when reporters visited his office.
In a post on X on May 21, Morales signaled he plans to stay in the race despite the growing backlash.
“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.”
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