On 6/6/26, after weeks of acrimony, Indiana’s State Democratic Party, at convention, nominated Beau Bayh [FN1] for Secretary of State (“SoS”). That office is created by Indiana’s Constitution. [FN2] As in many States, the SoS is Indiana’s chief elections officer. [FN3] 1/14

There are several factors that lent to an environment ripe acrimony in the weeks pre-convention. 1) Last December, in special session, the Indiana Senate voted down a mid-decade re-drawing of U.S. House districts pushed by trump w/a journey to Indiana by j.d. vance. [FN4] 2/14

2) The 2012 election was the last in which a Democratic Party nominee for Statewide office in Indiana won. [FN5]
3) The nominee for SoS is chosen by delegates at convention and not by voters in a primary. Online comments reflect many voters’ anger over “insiders” running things. 3/14

4) Indiana’s GOP might have a nasty convention in Fort Wayne on June 19 & 20. Incumbent Diego Morales is viewed as vulnerable, due to multiple allegations that some call corrupt. [FN6] Of course, in this iteration of the GOP, that is a “plus” for an office-seeker. 4/14

5) Bayh won the nomination w/61% of delegate votes and, talking to reporters said, “‘Hoosiers are ready for something different, something better. They’re tired of insider dealing, they’re tired of the corruption.’” [FN1] That’s a spiffy promise about corruption, but... 5/14

Bayh’s name recognition was huge in his win, as online comments and interviews of delegates indicate. It’s a “push” to say Hoosiers “are ready for something different, something better.” In 2012 and in 2016, progressives wanted something “different” and they got 6/14

John “I have a moustache” Gregg. Twice. This isn’t time for ideological purity. This iteration of the GOP has more in common with George Lincoln Rockwell than it has with Abraham Lincoln. However, the two “major political parties” are not-for-profit” corporate entities that 7/14

have written themselves into the election statutes. No one has disputed that, as was argued before Indiana’s Supreme Court, IN’s election laws disqualify over 80% of voters from seeking to run in a primary. SoS is not in the legislature, but can take admin action & describe 8/14

legislation to pursue. Change to “something different, something better” will require legislation & the General Assembly. People saw Gregg’s moustache. Beckwith’s beard is common place. [FN7] And people won’t be satisfied if real change remains a close shave away. 9/14

Remember: watch Brad Sowinski’s “The Rinse” at 7:30 Eastern/6:30 Central on FB. Drew Weingarten and I are panelists. 10/14

Footnotes:
FN1. Casey Smith and Mackenzi Kleeman, “Beau Bayh defeats Blythe Potter for Democratic secretary of state nomination,” Indiana Capital Chronicle, 6/6/26, accessed 6/7/26.
FN2. Indiana Const. Art. 6, § 1. 11/14

FN3. I.C.§ 3-6-3.7-1.
FN4. Kayla Dwyer and Hayleigh Colombo, "Indiana lawmakers reject Trump's mid-decade redistricting push," Indy Star, 12/11/25. 12/14

FN5. Then-Rep Joe Donnelly defeated State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. See, Lucy Madison, “Richard Mourdock: Even pregnancy from rape something ‘God intended,’" CBS News, 1024/12, accessed 6/7/26. 13/14

FN6. Heather Bushman and Kayla Dwyer, “GOP state official calls for Diego Morales to resign immediately amid mounting criticism,” IndyStar, 5/22/26, accessed 6/7/26.
FN7. Especially during Pride Month. 14/14