Beau Bayh Announces $1.8 Million Haul in First Three Months of Indiana Secretary of State Campaign

Beau Bayh Announces $1.8 Million Haul in First Three Months of Indiana Secretary of State Campaign

By Hoosier Enquirer Staff

January 12, 2026In a significant boost for Indiana Democrats, Beau Bayh, the son of former Governor and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh and grandson of legendary U.S. Senator Birch Bayh, has announced that his campaign for Indiana Secretary of State has raised $1.8 million in just three months.

 This impressive fundraising figure comes as Bayh seeks to become the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Indiana since 2012, when Glenda Ritz was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction. Bayh, a seventh-generation Hoosier and Marine veteran, launched his campaign in October 2025, emphasizing themes of integrity, transparency, and accountability in elections.

 In a post on X earlier today, Bayh expressed gratitude for the widespread support, noting that contributions have come from all 92 counties in the state. "We're building a coalition across rural, urban, and suburban communities united in shared Hoosier values of integrity and common sense," he wrote.

The $1.8 million raised surpasses early expectations and positions Bayh as a formidable contender in what could be a competitive race. Sources familiar with the campaign had indicated yesterday that an announcement of nearly $2 million was imminent, and today's figure aligns closely with those projections. This haul is particularly notable given the historical challenges faced by Democrats in Indiana statewide races. The party has not secured a victory at that level in over a decade, with Republicans dominating offices like governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.

Bayh's family legacy looms large in Hoosier politics. His grandfather, Birch Bayh, served as a U.S. Senator from 1963 to 1981 and authored key constitutional amendments, including the 25th Amendment on presidential succession and the 26th Amendment lowering the voting age to 18. His father, Evan Bayh, was Indiana's governor from 1989 to 1997 and a U.S. Senator from 1999 to 2011. Beau Bayh himself brings a background in public service, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps, which he highlights as instilling values of discipline and duty.

On the Democratic side, Bayh faces a primary challenge from Blythe Potter in the party's convention scheduled for June 6, 2026.

If nominated, he would likely square off against incumbent Republican Diego Morales in the November 3 general election. Morales, who won the seat in 2022, has focused on election integrity issues but has faced criticism from Democrats over voting access policies.

Bayh's campaign has called for continued support to expand outreach across the state, urging donors to contribute via his website. As the 2026 election cycle heats up, this early fundraising success signals that Democrats see the Secretary of State race as a potential breakthrough in their efforts to regain statewide relevance in deep-red Indiana.

Hoosier Enquirer will continue to monitor developments in this race and other key Indiana political stories.