Who Really Controls Indiana’s Republican Convention?

Indiana’s Republican Party is heading into a messy convention next week, and one freshman senator is trying to steer the ship in a new direction. Jim Banks, a U. S. Senator from Indiana, is pushing hard for his preferred candidate for secretary of state, Max Engling, a relatively unknown political staffer. But Banks isn’t just making a quiet suggestion—he’s openly challenging the party’s usual way of doing things, and that could backfire. This isn’t the first time Indiana Republicans have ignored their leaders. Over the past three decades, delegates have repeatedly chosen candidates who didn’t have the backing of governors, presidents, or powerful county chairs. In 2022, they rejected a high-profile candidate backed by the governor, even though he had a 70% approval rating. In 2008, they picked someone else over a candidate endorsed by the state’s top leader. And in 1996, they ignored the county chair’s pick entirely. So if Banks thinks his candidate will win easily, he might be surprised. Diego Morales, the current secretary of state, was expected to win easily. But Banks, along with the attorney general and state treasurer, pulled their support for Morales in May. Instead, Banks is backing Engling, while the attorney general stayed neutral. Morales has faced criticism for issues like corruption and lack of transparency, but some delegates still support him just because he’s a friend or ally. That loyalty could keep him in the race longer than expected.Some insiders think Engling has a real shot, but winning might take two or even three rounds of voting. The convention is in Fort Wayne, which means many delegates will have a long trip home—so if the voting drags on, they might just leave. In 2014, so many delegates left by the third ballot that the race was decided earlier. And in 2002, the eventual winner only secured the nomination after three rounds, wondering if his own supporters would stick with him. Outside groups are already flooding delegates with messages attacking Morales and another candidate, David Shelton. But after a brutal primary season where negative ads crushed several conservative senators, delegates might be tired of the same old tactics. One strategist close to Banks predicts Engling will win eventually, arguing that delegates respect Banks’ influence and want a candidate who can actually win. Then there’s Hamilton County’s leader, who sent a text calling Morales “dangerously unfit” without disclosing it was from a PAC. The message was blunt and unfiltered—maybe too much so. Meanwhile, Banks is taking a big risk by trying to control the convention’s outcome. No Indiana senator in recent history has tried to play kingmaker like this before. So what happens next? Will Banks’ gamble pay off, or will delegates ignore his push and go their own way? Either way, this convention could set a new tone for Indiana politics—or just make things messier.