INDIANAPOLIS – Todd Rokita has won the race to be Indiana’s next attorney general, the Associated Press is projecting.
The Republican former U.S. Congressman from Indiana beat Democratic former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel Tuesday night to succeed Curtis Hill, AP called Tuesday at about 10 p.m.
Rokita served as the representative for Indiana’s 4th Congressional District from 2011-2019. Before that, he served two terms as Indiana’s secretary of state from 2002-2010. As secretary of state, Rokita helped implement Indiana's voter photo identification law, one of the first in the country.
Tuesday afternoon, Rokita's campaign announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.
One item Rokita discussed during his campaign is working with Indiana legislators to clarify the emergency disaster law in the state, as it was written with short-term emergencies in mind, not the months-long COVID-19 fight we’ve seen. Many in Indiana have been frustrated during the pandemic that Gov. Eric Holcomb hasn’t called for a special legislative session.
Rokita received more delegate votes by the Indiana Republican Party than Hill in July. The last two years of Hill’s tenure was marred by sexual misconduct allegations. Hill was accused of inappropriately touching four women at a party at AJ’s Lounge on March 15, 2018. His law license was suspended for 30 days.
Rokita released the following statement Tuesday night:
"I want to thank my fellow Hoosiers for the trust and confidence you have placed in me to serve as your next Attorney General. And thanks to my family, friends, co-workers, our great volunteers and all the men and women of good faith who wanted to make sure we had the best person for this important job.
You know our state has come so far under commonsense conservative leadership over the last 15 years. We have become a leader in the nation in every category that matters. Now we must keep it that way.
As a statewide officer holder I will continue to provide that same kind of pro-growth, limited government leadership which has allowed our state to succeed. In all things I will work to protect Indiana and put Hoosiers first.
I will defend – not defund – our police, working with law enforcement to uphold the Rule of Law.
I will work to stop waste, fraud, and corruption in government.
I will work tirelessly to support our job creators and help restore – and grow – our economy.
I will uphold the Constitution, both our 1st Amendment and 2nd Amendment Rights, for all Hoosiers regardless of background.
I will protect the taxpayers because I will never forget those dollars come from hard working Hoosiers.
I know our nation was founded on the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and I will defend the right to life.
Working together, our best days are ahead us.
Thank you again and God bless."
