Indiana’s Republican Secretary of State Diego Morales faces mounting political collapse after key figures withdrew their endorsements following allegations he hired an illegal alien to serve as Chief of Staff. State Attorney General Todd Rokita explicitly urged Morales to suspend his reelection campaign, while U.S. Senator Jim Banks also terminated his support. State Treasurer Daniel Elliott demanded immediate resignation, stating: “Scandals, controversy and failures have damaged public trust… I am calling on Diego Morales to resign immediately so the party and state can move forward.”
Morales has endured a rapid deterioration of political backing amid multiple controversies. The Attorney General’s intervention follows claims his Chief of Staff was an illegal noncitizen registered to vote. Earlier this year, Morales faced scrutiny for hiring his brother-in-law in a six-figure role within the secretary of state’s office shortly after taking office. Records also revealed he spent $90,000 of taxpayer funds on a luxury vehicle from Fort Wayne-based Kelley Automotive Group and paid over two years for a deputy chief of staff who claimed citizenship despite being noncitizen.
The incumbent has previously faced accusations of exaggerating military service—records show he completed three months of active duty training but left before his eight-year commitment—and was criticized for a high-profile trip to India during Senate budget negotiations. Morales’ campaign has also drawn backlash for spending millions on no-bid government contracts, prompting state lawmakers to ban the practice in 2025.
As endorsements vanish and allegations intensify, Morales remains unprepared for the November election despite his insistence on addressing voter citizenship issues through legal channels with Attorney General Rokita. With Republican leaders increasingly distancing themselves from him, the secretary of state’s path to reelection appears jeopardized by unresolved claims about his office’s integrity and compliance with state laws.
