Engling Targets Business Fraud and Election Audits in Final Push
The Republican nominee promises to work with the General Assembly to overhaul office procedures and invite an Inspector General review.
By Giulia Marshall ·
Max Engling says he will direct the Indiana Inspector General to audit his office if he wins the secretary of state race on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Republican nominee outlined this plan during an interview on WIBC Morning News, positioning the review as a way to uncover issues that internal staff might miss.
Engling identified three core priorities for the next four years: election integrity, transparency, and accountability in business registrations. He stated he would partner with the Indiana General Assembly to implement new processes that make the office operate more professionally. The office currently manages state elections, business registrations, and other administrative duties.
The candidate highlighted fraudulent business registrations in the trucking sector as a key area for reform. He alleged that some companies register through the office but hire drivers who lack proper commercial licenses, legal authorization, or English proficiency. Engling argued that holding these entities accountable is a direct method to improve road safety for Indiana residents.
"What you can't see is where there may be other issues," Engling said. "That is why it's important to bring in an entity that actually has the authority to audit the office, like the Inspector General, which is what I'm committed to, and I've called for."
Engling defeated incumbent Diego Morales for the Republican nomination at the June convention. Morales is not on the November ballot. Engling is now facing Democrat Beau Bayh in the general election.
The race has featured criticism over Engling's personal records. Engling alleged that Bayh made false statements about his finances and driving record, both of which are public information. "If my opponent is willing to lie about me for things that are public record, anybody can look at my finances. They can look at my driving record, things that he brought forward," Engling said. "If he's willing to lie about that, and it's public record, he's certainly going to be willing to lie about other things."
Engling said he wants young Indiana residents to feel confident in the state's institutions. "When I look at my kids and I look at generationally, what we're gonna be doing in the future here in Indiana, I want my kids to choose the state of Indiana to put their roots down here like I have, to build a business here in the state of Indiana," he said.
