INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is running for secretary of state as an independent.
Ballard, who served as mayor of Indianapolis from 2008 to 2016, formally launched his campaign on Wednesday with a video posted by the YouTube account, “Greg Ballard for Indiana Secretary of State.”
“I ran as a Republican, but I governed for everyone. Today, things are different. Both political parties are broken, and we’re the ones paying the price,” Ballard said. “When politics becomes this toxic, it’s essential to have an independent voice overseeing our elections.”
Ballard goes on to say that Indiana’s current secretary of state, Republican Diego Morales, has “shown an eagerness to engage in partisan politics,” and he believes the office should “not be partisan.”
“I thought my career in public service had ended, but when you see something this broken, and you know you can fix it, you step forward. That’s why I’m running for Indiana Secretary of State, and I’m doing it as an independent,” Ballard explained. “This office must not be partisan. It should be mainly focused on one thing: safeguarding the integrity and professionalism of our elections.”
But, he said, that’s not the only reason he’s running for office.
“During the past few years, I’ve met so many great people who want to step up and serve like I did, but don’t feel like they have a place in either party. Like me, they’re on the outside looking in. That’s not how Indiana is supposed to work. When voters truly have an option, our elections are more competitive, our leaders are more accountable, and our government works better.”
Secretary of State Diego Morales is seeking reelection, but will likely face opposition at the state Republican Party convention. David Shelton, a Knox County clerk and chair of the county’s Republican Party, is also running.
On the Democratic side, the contest at that party’s convention will be between Beau Bayh, one of the sons of former governor and senator Evan Bayh, and former U.S. Army reservist and businesswoman Blythe Potter.