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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFormer congressman Todd Rokita has earned the endorsement of the Indiana State Police Alliance in his bid to become the next Indiana Attorney General.
Rokita announced the endorsement Wednesday, with the alliance saying its board voted unanimously to support the Republican AG candidate. The organization is a bipartisan group representing Indiana troopers.
“Mr. Rokita stands to protect Hoosiers from crime, fight lawlessness in our streets, and uphold our constitutional rights,” the Alliance said in a statement, adding that Rokita has shown “tremendous support and dedication.”
Rokita, who also is a former Indiana Secretary of State, defeated incumbent Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill to earn the Hoosier GOP nomination for attorney general. He’ll face off in November against Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel, former Evansville mayor and state lawmaker.
Rokita previously told Indiana Lawyer that as attorney general, he would protect communities from crime by being on the side of law enforcement and ensuring the rule of law applies to everyone equally. His comments came when calls to “defund the police” were gaining traction amid protests after the death of George Floyd.
The GOP candidate described himself as being “the only candidate for attorney general who has helped prosecute criminals and win cases for Indiana at the U.S. Supreme Court, through his service as Secretary of State.” He renewed his commitment to law enforcement on Wednesday, referencing the ongoing national protests that at times have turned destructive, including in Indianapolis.
“It is critical we stand behind our law enforcement. It is critical we defend — not defund — our police. It is critical we protect the citizens of Indiana and put Hoosiers first,” Rokita said Wednesday.
“I will stand up against lawlessness, like the looting, rioting and destruction we have seen in our nation’s streets,” he continued. “We cannot be a nation which values the rule of law if we won’t speak up to enforce it.
“As a supporter of our Constitution I will always defend our citizens’ rights to free speech — to make their voice heard. Along with the freedom of religion and all Constitutional rights. However, we cannot — and I will not — stand for lawlessness.”
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