Title: Secretary of State Diego Morales gets last-minute challenger
URL Source: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/20/rep-andrew-ireland-weighs-secretary-of-state-challenge-to-diego-morales/90174980007/
Published Time: 2026-05-20T14:22:06Z
Markdown Content:
Updated May 20, 2026, 1:42 p.m. ET
**_Update 1:40 p.m. May 20:_** State Rep. Andrew Ireland posted on X that instead of running for secretary of state himself, he will support Max Engling.
**_Original story:_**
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is getting another challenger at the Republican state convention.
Max Engling, an aide to U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, told IndyStar he filed to run the morning of May 20. IndyStar had learned earlier in the morning that state Rep. Andrew Ireland was also seriously weighing a bid to challenge Morales, though Engling's entry into the race may impact his plans.
The filing deadline for GOP convention candidates is May 21. Ireland declined to confirm whether he's eyeing a run.
The contest already includes Morales, Knox County Clerk David Shelton and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jamie Reitenour.
A last-minute entry could be a sign of waning confidence among the party in Morales as their most prominent candidate, whose odds of success in the fall are questionable if he faces moderate and well-financed Democrat Beau Bayh as well as former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on the November general election ballot. Ballard is running as a third-party candidate if he gathers enough signatures. Lauri Shillings is on the ballot as the Libertarian nominee.
Bargersville business owner Blythe Potter is running against Bayh at the Democratic convention.
Morales' time in office has featured a number of controversies earning him criticism from both sides of the aisle, including trips overseas and using taxpayer dollars to select a luxury state vehicle. Morales did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
_Contact Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at
[email protected] or follow her on X @kayla\_dwyer17._