Morales Investigation: Partisan Theater or Ethics Reckoning?

In a move drawing both scrutiny and skepticism, the Democratic-controlled Marion County Election Board has launched an investigation into Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, alleging that his 2024 campaign ad violated state election law. The controversy stems from a five-minute video showing Morales’ visit to the Marion County Election Service Center on Election Day, which was later repurposed for his reelection campaign.

While the Board claims the video violates Indiana statutes prohibiting the use of public resources for campaign purposes, critics argue the probe is a politically motivated effort to discredit Morales, a Republican official who has centered his tenure on election integrity. Morales’ office insists the footage was originally shared on the Secretary of State’s public social media accounts as a transparent Election Day recap and that its reuse complies with legal standards.

"This is public content," a spokesperson for Morales said. "It was never hidden or misleading. The attempt to twist this into a violation is baseless."

The Board, led by Democratic Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell, asserts that the video was filmed in a restricted area and features volunteers who did not consent to appear in a political ad. Critics counter that such complaints are paper-thin, pointing to the Board’s lack of jurisdiction over statewide election matters. That authority rests with the Indiana State Election Board, rendering the county probe largely symbolic.

The investigation officially moved forward on May 23, when the Marion County Election Board voted unanimously to pursue the matter. The inquiry is being handled internally by Board staff and may be referred to the Indiana Attorney General or Marion County Prosecutor, depending on the findings. Morales continues to defend the video as part of his public transparency efforts, emphasizing that no campaign staff were involved in its production and that it documented routine public service.

A History of Political Targeting?

This isn’t the first time Morales has been the target of politically charged accusations. In 2022, he was accused of voter fraud over his residency status—a claim that fell apart under scrutiny. In 2023, a rumor spread by IndyPolitics claimed he was under FBI investigation for “gang activity”—another baseless allegation.

"When Democrats can’t beat him at the ballot box, they resort to smears," one Morales supporter posted on X.

Morales won the Secretary of State race in 2022 and has since championed voter ID laws, election audits, and funding improvements for county election offices. He announced that over one million Hoosiers voted early in 2024, marking a record-setting turnout he attributes to expanded access and strong voter protections.

Rising Questions About Morales' Leadership

Despite dismissing the Marion County inquiry as political theater, Morales faces tougher questions from within his own state government. During a June 18 hearing before the Indiana State Budget Committee, lawmakers grilled Morales over financial and personnel decisions:

• Over $300,000 in spot bonuses awarded to his staff.

• The six-figure hiring of his brother-in-law.

• A $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali purchased with taxpayer funds from a dealership that donated $65,000 to his campaign.

• No-bid contracts awarded to vendors linked to political contributors.

  
  

Morales, unflinching, responded that his critics are "jealous of my work ethic." Nevertheless, lawmakers approved over $10 million in new funding for his office to upgrade technology, enhance election security, and support voter outreach.

Focus on the Real Issues

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised about Kate Sweeney Bell’s own oversight. Her office has reportedly been accused of imposing harsh conditions on election staff, including long hours without breaks. Critics also highlight vulnerabilities in nursing home voting, long a target for alleged ballot harvesting, though no formal charges have emerged.

If Morales and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita were to investigate labor practices or voting vulnerabilities under Bell's leadership, some argue, they might uncover issues more deserving of public attention than a recycled video clip.

Conclusion

The Marion County Election Board’s investigation into Diego Morales may indeed be more theater than substance. However, recent revelations about Morales' financial and ethical judgment have given even supporters reason to pause.

As the State Election Board weighs whether to act on the local board’s findings, Hoosiers are left with two conflicting narratives: one of a principled election reformer under siege, and another of a public official whose aggressive partisanship may be obscuring serious ethical missteps.

Either way, the voters of Indiana deserve transparency, accountability, and above all—a focus on securing and improving the integrity of their elections, not just scoring political points.

HE withholds its final judgment but notes Indiana has a history of fake ethics cases against political persons, and it must cease.