Lincoln Party secretary of state candidate Greg Ballard received an endorsement Monday from former Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann. Ellspermann, a longtime Republican, cited good governance as her top priority, stating that it must take precedence over party affiliation. She told the Capital Chronicle that Ballard is "absolutely that candidate" to do the right thing for Hoosiers.
Ellspermann served as lieutenant governor from 2013 to 2016 under then-Gov. Mike Pence. Following her tenure, she resigned to lead Ivy Tech Community College as its president for approximately nine years. She currently serves on multiple corporate boards and resides in southern Indiana. Despite her public endorsement of Ballard, Ellspermann affirmed that she still considers herself a Republican. She expressed a belief that all parties should strive to elevate strong candidates. Ellspermann indicated that she did not see such elevation happening within the Republican Party, while also noting that the Democrats have work to do in ensuring strong candidates are put forth for important positions.
Ballard, who represents the burgeoning Lincoln Party, is vying for the secretary of state position against three other candidates: Republican Max Engling, Democrat Beau Bayh, and Libertarian Lauri Shillings. Ellspermann described Ballard as a "proven leader, a proven high integrity public servant." She highlighted his tenure as a two-term Republican mayor of Indianapolis, during which he was noted for successfully working across the aisle in a nonpartisan manner to achieve positive outcomes for the city's residents.
Ellspermann acknowledged that she could have privately voted for Ballard but chose to make her support public. Her decision aligns with a past instance where she publicly diverged from many prominent state Republicans, speaking out last year against the proposed Indiana congressional redistricting plan supported by President Donald Trump. She voiced confidence that Ballard would garner significant support from central Indiana, where she believes he is well-known and respected. However, Ellspermann recognized that Ballard's name is not as widely recognized across other parts of the state, particularly in rural southern Indiana where she lives. She expressed hope that if Hoosiers trust her commitment to supporting highly qualified, high-integrity public servants, they will give Greg Ballard serious consideration if they have not yet decided. She encouraged residents to visit his website, review his record, and learn about his qualifications for secretary of state. A letter to the editor regarding her endorsement has been published in the Ferdinand News.
