Ballard

An Indiana secretary of state candidate, Ballard, is campaigning on a promise to take the office 'out of politics,' arguing it should run as a neutral, nonpartisan agency. His opponents have seized on the pledge, saying his own record and political ties undercut the message, turning the framing into a running dispute in the race.

Secretary of state candidate Ballard has called for a ban on political actions by current officeholders. The proposal, reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, frames the race for Indiana's top election official around ethics and the separation of official duties from partisan activity. Details of how the ban would work and responses from rival candidates have not yet been reported.

Ballard says he wants to take the secretary of state office 'out of politics,' but his opponents argue the pledge is problematic, pointing to his own political activity. The dispute is playing out in local coverage as the race draws attention, with each side framing the other as overly partisan ahead of the election.