FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Two high-profile Indiana politicians are withdrawing their support of a candidate in the state's Secretary of State race.

U.S. Senator Jim Banks and Attorney General Todd Rokita rescinded their endorsements for current secretary Diego Morales. In a joint statement, the two instead offered their support for Max Engling, a senior advisor for Sen. Banks. Banks and Rokita stated that they believe Engling would be the Republican Party's best chance to win the seat in November.

A provided statement from AG Rokita says, in part:

With so many self-inflicted wounds and issues, I now do not believe he can win in November. I have put an enormous amount of work into successfully implementing a Hoosier-first agenda as Attorney General and as Secretary of State. Republican delegates successfully faced this scenario in 2020 when I was elected with the largest number of votes in Indiana candidate history after taking on a flawed incumbent at the convention. Republican Delegates can put Hoosiers First by allowing Max Engling to contact them and earn their support.

Both the Democrat and Republican parties of Indiana will choose their own nominee for the seat during their respective conventions in June.