Diego Morales
Diego Morales (Republican Party) is the Indiana Secretary of State. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Morales announced he would run for re-election in 2026. On May 1, 2025, Morales posted on X: "Together, we have worked to protect our elections, build a friendly business environment, and hold bad actors accountable. But there is more work to be done. That is why I am announcing my reelection as Indiana Secretary of State."[1]
Morales was born in Guatemala in 1979 and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1991. He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, an MBA from Purdue University, and an International MBA from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. After becoming a naturalized citizen, Morales served in both the U.S. Army and Indiana National Guard.[2]
Before taking office, Morales worked as a business development executive and consultant. He worked as the director of intergovernmental affairs under then-Secretary of State Todd Rokita (R) and as senior advisor to then-Gov. Mike Pence (R).[2]
In 2022, Morales became the first Latino elected to statewide office in Indiana. Morales won the Republican nomination at a convention, defeating incumbent Holli Sullivan (R), who was appointed to the position in 2021. In an editorial published before the convention, Morales criticized Sullivan for not discussing the 2020 election. "In clear contrast to Sullivan, let me make my own position on 2020 crystal clear. The 2020 election was flawed and the outcome is questionable," he wrote.[3] WFYI's Brandon Smith wrote in June 2022, "Morales’s bid was viewed by many as a challenge to the governor and the so-called Republican 'establishment.'"[4] Morales defeated Destiny Scott Wells (D) 54.1%-40.2% in the general election.
Morales supported HB 1264, which created additional identification and proof of residency requirements for first-time voters and required the secretary of state's office to compare voter rolls with commercially available data, such as data from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Morales said, "Voter registration lists need to be accurate. HB 1264 will give county clerks and voter registration boards tools to update voter information, including current address and citizenship status."[5] HB 1264 was signed in March 2024. Click here to read a full summary of the legislation on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.
Morales was supported by the America First Secretary of State Coalition in 2022.[6]
Biography
Diego Morales served in the U.S. Army. Morales earned a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Indiana University, a master's degree in international business administration from Tilburg University, and a master's degree in business administration from Purdue University. His career experience includes working as the director of intergovernmental affairs of the office of the Indiana Secretary of State, a senior advisor to then-Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a business development executive with The Free Enterprise System, Inc., and the chief business development officer with Sodrel Holding Companies.[7][8]
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
Morales' political career includes the following offices:
- 2023-present: Indiana Secretary of State
Elections
2026
See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2026
Indiana Secretary of State election, 2026 (June 6 Democratic convention)
Indiana Secretary of State election, 2026 (June 20 Republican convention)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Indiana Secretary of State
Beau Bayh (D), Max Engling (R), Lauri Shillings (L), Greg Ballard (Independent), and Andrew Delano (National Socialist American Workers' Party) are running in the general election for Indiana Secretary of State on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Beau Bayh (D) | |
 | Max Engling (R) | |
 | Lauri Shillings (L)  | |
 | Greg Ballard (Independent) | |
| Andrew Delano (National Socialist American Workers' Party) (Write-in) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Beau Bayh (D) defeated Blythe Potter (D) in the Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 6, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Beau Bayh |
 | Blythe Potter | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Max Engling (R) defeated David Shelton (R), incumbent Diego Morales (R), and Jamie Reitenour (R) in the Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 20, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Max Engling | 53.3 | 867 |
 | David Shelton | 38.5 | 627 | |
 | Diego Morales | 8.2 | 134 | |
 | Jamie Reitenour | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Total votes: 1,628 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian Party convention
Libertarian convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Lauri Shillings (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Indiana Secretary of State on March 22, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Lauri Shillings |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2022
General election
General election for Indiana Secretary of State
Diego Morales defeated Destiny Scott Wells, Jeff Maurer, David Wetterer, and Andrew Straw in the general election for Indiana Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diego Morales (R) | 54.1 | 999,893 |
 | Destiny Scott Wells (D) | 40.2 | 742,624 | |
 | Jeff Maurer (L) | 5.7 | 104,519 | |
| David Wetterer (G) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 107 | ||
 | Andrew Straw (Disability Party) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 36 | |
| Total votes: 1,847,179 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Destiny Scott Wells advanced from the Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 18, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Destiny Scott Wells (D) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Diego Morales defeated incumbent Holli Sullivan and David Shelton in the Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 18, 2022.
Candidate | ||
 | Holli Sullivan (R) | |
| ✔ | | Diego Morales (R) |
| David Shelton (R) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kyle Conrad (R)
- Paul Hager (R)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Jeff Maurer advanced from the Libertarian convention for Indiana Secretary of State on March 5, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jeff Maurer (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Jim Baird defeated Tobi Beck in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on November 6, 2018.
| Total votes: 244,363 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tobi Beck | 34.6 | 6,467 |
| Veronikka Ziol | 21.1 | 3,938 | ||
 | Joe Mackey | 16.1 | 3,013 | |
| Roger Day | 12.4 | 2,324 | ||
| Roland Ellis | 9.2 | 1,712 | ||
 | Darin Patrick Griesey | 6.7 | 1,249 | |
| Total votes: 18,703 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Sheryl Shipley (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jim Baird | 36.6 | 29,319 |
 | Steve Braun | 29.5 | 23,602 | |
| Diego Morales | 15.0 | 11,997 | |
 | Jared Thomas | 10.5 | 8,435 | |
 | Kevin Grant | 4.6 | 3,667 | |
 | James Nease | 2.6 | 2,097 | |
 | Tim Radice | 1.3 | 1,013 | |
| Total votes: 80,130 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
| Click [show] to view endorsements issued in this race. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campaign finance
The table below contains data from FEC Quarterly April 2018 reports with information on all funds raised and spent since the beginning of the 2017-2018 campaign cycle on January 1, 2017. It includes only candidates who had reported at least $10,000 in campaign contributions as of March 31, 2018.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Diego Morales did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Morales' campaign website stated the following:
Elections
What We Have Achieved
- Expanded Indiana's voter ID law to include mail-in voting
- Expanded Indiana's ban on private funding of elections
- Introduced documentary proof of citizenship requirements
- Enhanced proof of residency requirements
- Added new sources of information that can be used for voter list maintenance
- Oversaw implementation of a voter verifiable paper trail in all 92 Indiana counties
- Improved Indiana's ranking from 16 to the top 10 in the "Heritage Foundation Election Scorecard"
What’s Next
- Continue to promote and support legislation that puts more emphasis on election day
- Support action at the federal level to allow documentary proof of citizenship for all voter registration applications
- Modernize Indiana's Statewide Voter Registration and Election Management System
- Expand Indiana's campaign finance portal to include local candidate committees and PACs to enhance transparency
- Support action at the federal level to remove outdated restrictions that limit states ability to perform comprehensive voter list maintenance
Auto Dealer Services
What We Have Achieved
- Added new training requirements for independent car dealers to ensure they are adequately trained to serve Hoosiers
- Rigorous enforcement of Indiana dealer laws that has ensured Hoosier consumers are protected
What’s Next
- Expand training opportunities and requirements to ensure dealers know their legal requirements
- Explore the ability to expand the division to include protections for non-consensual consumer towing
Securities
What We Have Achieved
- Issued a cease and desist against BlackRock to ensure Hoosier investors are protected and their money is not being used against their interests
- Increased focus on financial literacy programs to focus on preventing potential financial crimes
- Stabilized the securities restitution fund to ensure victims of financial crimes can recover some of what they lost
What’s Next
- Continue investigations and enforcement to ensure firms like Blackrock are not deceiving Hoosier investors
- Increased financial literacy programs to focus on preventing potential financial crimes
Business Services
What We Have Achieved
- Maintained Indiana's ranking as one of the best states to start a business
- Launched "In My Community" to help highlight what Indiana's local communities have to offer
What’s Next
- Expand INBiz to include more connections with state agencies
- Explore expansion of INBiz to include connections with local governments
- Continue Indiana's ranking as one of the best states to start a business
— Diego Morales' campaign website (April 16, 2026)
2022
Diego Morales did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ X, "Diego Morales on May 1, 2025," accessed December 8, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Indiana Secretary of State, "Biography," accessed May 29, 2024
- ↑ Hoosier State Today, "OPINION: Holli Sullivan Dodges on Election Sanctity: I Will Lead," March 8, 2022
- ↑ WFYI, "Diego Morales upsets Secretary of State Holli Sullivan at Indiana GOP convention," June 19, 2022
- ↑ WRTV, "Two bills at the statehouse could create changes ahead of the general election," February 26, 2024
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Election skeptics slow to get sweeping changes in GOP states," February 5, 2023
- ↑ Diego Morales for Congress, "Home," accessed March 10, 2018
- ↑ Diego for Indiana, "Home," accessed November 30, 2022
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Steve Braun for Congress, "Four Conservative Leaders Endorse Steve Braun for Congress," April 25, 2018
- ↑ Facebook, "Steve Braun," March 6, 2018
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Steve Braun for Congress, "TIPPECANOE COUNTY LEADERS ENDORSE CONSERVATIVE BUSINESSMAN STEVE BRAUN FOR CONGRESS," February 22, 2018
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Facebook, "Steve Braun," January 17, 2018
- ↑ Babushahi, "SikhsPAC hosts fundrasing event for Diego Morales," December 19, 2017
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Steve Braun for Congress, "Eight Hendricks County Leaders Endorse Steve Braun for Congress," March 15, 2018
- ↑ Facebook, "Steve Braun," April 26, 2018
- ↑ Steve Braun for Congress, "Indiana Chamber Endorses Steve Braun for Congress in the 4th District," April 17, 2018
- ↑ Facebook, "Elect Jim Baird," April 2, 2018
- ↑ With Honor, "Press Release: With Honor Endorses Nine Principled Veterans for Congress," March 15, 2018
- ↑ Facebook, "SikhsPAC," January 26, 2018
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Holli Sullivan (R) |
Indiana Secretary of State 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
