Connie Lawson Wins Re-Election Campaign As Secretary Of State

Republican incumbent Connie Lawson will remain Indiana’s Secretary of State another four years. Republicans have held the seat for the last 24 years.

In a wide-margin, Lawson secured another term as Indiana Secretary of State. She says she will focus on election security leading up to the presidential election.

“Security recommendations and hacksters change their methods all the time. We did a great job today and we’ll continue to work on that,” Lawson says.

During the race Democrat Jim Harper criticized Lawson for not pushing for redistricting reform and same day voting registration as Secretary of State.

Harper says while he’s disappointed, he’s excited to see a high voter turnout.

“While I obviously wish some of those votes had gone a different direction, it is a good sign for our democracy that so many people participated in this process,” Harper says.

Lawson was was appointed as Secretary of State in March 2012 to finish the term of Charlie White, who was ousted after a voter fraud conviction.

The secretary of state is Indiana's chief elections officer. The office is also responsible for chartering new business, regulating the securities industry, commissioning notaries public, registrating trademarks and licensing of vehicle dealerships throughout Indiana.

Libertarian Mark Rutherford captured about 3 percent of the vote, meaning the Libertarian Party retains automatic ballot access for the next four years.