Ex-Rep. Rokita might join race for Indiana attorney general

Former U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita says he could become a new Republican challenger to embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s reelection bid.

Rokita issued a statement about possibly seeking the Republican nomination for the office after the state Supreme Court on Monday ordered a 30-day law license suspension for Hill over allegations that he drunkenly groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party.

Rokita said Hill is “very badly wounded” because of the allegations and suspension.

“We are in great danger of losing the seat and giving it to a liberal Democrat with Curtis Hill on the ballot,” Rokita said. “There is too much at stake for us to not consider other alternatives for our state’s top lawyer.”

Hill has denied doing anything wrong and is seeking reelection despite calls from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and other state GOP leaders for his resignation.

Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter and Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp are already challenging Hill for the Republican nomination, which will be decided at the state party convention scheduled for June 20.

State Republican Chairman Kyle Hupfer, who is also Holcomb’s campaign manager, released a blunt statement saying “Hoosiers would be best served by having a new Attorney General. I have faith in our delegates.”

Rokita won statewide elections as secretary of state in 2002 and 2006 before holding a central Indiana congressional seat for eight years. He lost a 2018 bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination to Mike Braun.

State Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are seeking the Democratic nomination.