Gabe Whitley Endorses Max Engling, Tells Media to Stop Talking About Campaign Finances: “He Probably Lied… But Who Cares”

INDIANAPOLIS — October 11, 2026 — Former Republican congressional candidate and elected GOP precinct committeeman Gabe Whitley endorsed Max Engling for Indiana Secretary of State and directly addressed ongoing media scrutiny of Engling’s campaign finances with a blunt message.

“The media needs to stop talking about Max Engling’s campaign finances. From my experience, Max probably lied on his campaign finances, but who cares. Democrats do it all the time.”

Whitley continued: “Lying to your government is a great thing. Our government has lied to us for decades. Jim Banks says we need to support Max Engling, and I’m all in.”

Whitley pleaded guilty in 2025 to making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission by fabricating hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and a loan in reports for his 2024 congressional run.

He called Engling “the savior of our Indiana elections” and said the Republican Party should unite behind the nominee chosen by delegates at the state convention.

“This is about unity,” Whitley said. “Republicans need to stop the infighting and get behind Max Engling. Jim Banks is right. I’m all in, and every Republican in this state should be too.”

Engling won the GOP nomination on June 20 in Fort Wayne, defeating incumbent Diego Morales on the second ballot with 867 votes. He is the Republican nominee on the November 3 ballot against Democrat Beau Bayh, Libertarian Lauri Shillings, and a likely independent bid by former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. U.S. Sen. Jim Banks endorsed Engling in May and reiterated that support at the convention.

Whitley’s endorsement, announced through the Whitley Foundation, frames the race as one that requires Republicans to set aside internal disputes and media focus on finances in favor of supporting the party’s chosen candidate.

Whitley is Statehouse Reporter of the Hoosier Enquirer, an elected Republican precinct committeeman, and a former candidate for the U.S. House in Indiana’s 7th Congressional District.

Contact: David McCarthy, Director, Whitley Foundation / Hoosier Enquirer Operations Manager.

You can read the Whitley Foundation press release here.