Fort Wayne, Indiana

Following a FOX59/CBS4 debate, Democrat Beau Bayh and Republican Max Engling agreed on core Secretary of State issues like voter participation and prosecuting illegal voting, but split sharply on investigating current officeholder Diego Morales and on dueling campaign ad attacks. Engling called Bayh's investigation approach unserious, favoring an inspector general-led review, and said Bayh strayed into unrelated issues; he also said he's considering a defamation suit over Bayh's ads. Bayh countered that Engling can't differentiate himself from Morales and pledged to personally pursue accountability. The race, triggered by Morales's convention loss, has drawn heavy spending ahead of Indiana's Nov. 3 election.

A new Free Press Indiana/Bellwether Research poll shows Democrat Beau Bayh leading Republican Max Engling in the race for Indiana Secretary of State, 43% to 35%. Libertarian Lauri Shillings drew 6% and Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard, a former Indianapolis mayor, drew 5%, with 11% undecided. The race drew heightened attention after incumbent Diego Morales lost his GOP renomination bid at the party's June convention. Bayh led in most regions, including Indianapolis and the Chicago/South Bend/Elkhart/Lafayette area, while Engling performed best around Fort Wayne. Bayh also posted the highest favorability rating among the four candidates, while more than 40% of voters said they had never heard of Engling, Ballard or Shillings.

The same survey of 896 registered voters, conducted Oct. 8-11 with a margin of error of ±3.4%, found Democrat Jessica Bailey narrowly ahead in the State Comptroller race and Republican Daniel Elliott leading in the State Treasurer contest. Indiana's general election is Nov. 3, with absentee ballot applications due Oct. 22.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has renewed the state's gas tax holiday for a seventh straight month, extending relief from Oct. 6 through Nov. 4. The suspension covers both the state gas excise tax and gas usage tax, saving residents roughly 60 cents per gallon. The new order also lifts special fuel restrictions on dyed diesel, letting farmers use it for any farm-related activity during harvest season.

The holiday began in April under an energy emergency order tied to the Iran conflict; after 120 days, Braun issued a new order citing the Russia-Ukraine war and Canadian wildfires. As of late September, most Indiana cities averaged under $4 a gallon. The Indiana State Board of Finance continues reimbursing fuel retailers, with the most recent approval topping $138 million for July. The Indiana Farm Bureau praised the dyed diesel exemption as timely relief for farmers facing high input costs. Braun has framed the repeated extensions as part of a broader affordability push for Hoosier families.