INDIANAPOLIS — In what is likely their only debate in the race for Indiana Attorney General, Republican incumbent Todd Rokita and Democrat Destiny Wells will go head-to-head this week in a debate at the FOX59/CBS4 Studios.
”I know we have a strong ticket," Attorney General Rokita said about the upcoming election during an interview earlier this summer. "I know we’re unified, and I’m excited."
Much of Rokita's campaign has focused on accomplishments throughout his first term such as securing more than $1 billion in legal settlements, and challenging red tape he said hurts small business owners.
”I’m excited for Micah [Beckwith]’s win, I’m excited for Mike Braun’s win because we’re going to get some good partners here in the Statehouse," AG Rokita said.
His challenger, Destiny Wells (an attorney and combat veteran), has made protecting workers' rights a key focus of her campaign, and has promised to create a workers' rights task force if elected.
”A large part of our Hoosier population are union members," Wells said during an interview with FOX59 Political Director Dan Spehler earlier this year. "I come from the middle class. That is my family, and I want to make sure we’re serving people and being the people’s attorney.”
Another top priority for both campaign's is the state's near-total abortion ban. If re-elected, Attorney General Rokita said he will continue to fight what he called "one-off" cases challenging the ban.
”We’re going to continue; we’ll fight these wherever they’re at, but we’re very confident in the constitutionality and the reasonableness of Indiana’s pro-life law," Attorney General Rokita said.
Wells said she will protect medical privacy and restore what she called the integrity of the office—calling her opponent's conduct in office (along with multiple disciplinary complaints he's received) "distractions."
”That’s been the problem with the office is that the leadership has been violating the rules and acting like they are above the law," Wells said during a virtual press event. ”I will lead by example; I will practice within the highest ethical standards.”
In our latest poll conducted by Emerson College and the Hill, Rokita maintains a commanding double-digit lead over Wells. Although the number of undecided voters in the race also remains in double digits, it's highly unlikely Wells will win over enough of them to catch up according to pollsters.
”Absent some sort of massive investment in the state from some of the national organizations to boost these candidates, it’s probably not going to happen," Matt Taglia, Senior Director of Emerson College Polling, said.
You can watch the 20-minute debate in its entirety right here on this weekend’s special edition of INFocus. For more information, click here.