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UPDATE: GOP Candidate For Indiana Attorney General Wins Election, Has COVID-19

NEW: INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Republican Todd Rokita has staged a political comeback in winning the Indiana attorney general's office. The former congressman defeated former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel in a race that Democrats had targeted in hopes of winning their first statewide election since 2012. Rokita's campaign announced Tuesday he had tested positive for COVID-19 after developing "some symptoms" but was doing well.

Rokita lost the 2018 Republican U.S. Senate primary but started his comeback by defeating current Attorney General Curtis Hill for the GOP nomination after Hill was tarnished by allegations that he drunkenly groped four women during a party.

Weinzepfel issued the following statement:
 
“I want to congratulate Attorney General-elect Todd Rokita on his victory.  While we are disappointed in the outcome, I could not be more proud of the effort we made and the issues we raised.
 
As you’ve heard me say before, I entered this race because I didn’t like the direction the incumbent Attorney General was taking our state. We ran in response to his embarrassing personal behavior and partisan lawsuits that only hurt Hoosier families. We ran to restore honor, integrity and purpose to the office.
 
And while our campaign fell short, I am proud of the issues we raised. From supporting the governor’s mask order, to opposing the ACA lawsuit, to issuing plans to help the state recover from the pandemic, to a plan to legalize marijuana to fund schools and make long overdue improvements to our criminal justice system – these were all issues that were worth raising – and will continue to be defining issues in our state.
 
I want to thank my campaign team: Bill Stuart, Kristen Self, Kristin Jones, James Powell, Jeff Harris, Lara Beck, Jason Critchlow, Nolan Born, Greg Ulrich, Cindy Collier, Rep. Ryan Hatfield, Adam Kirsch, Conner Klotz, our consultants and the Democratic Attorney General Association for their great work, support, and professionalism.
 
And, thank you to all of my supporters, contributors and all of the passionate Hoosiers I met on the campaign trail. You inspired me in a time when we all really need a little inspiration. 
 
Most importantly, I want to thank my family. My wife, Patricia, and our children, Nathaniel, Benjamin, and Eleanor, were with me every step of the way, through the ups and downs, always fighting my fights with me. My sisters drove me all over this state, fed me, and provided lodging through the campaign. And, my Dad and other siblings cheered me on at every step.
 
My only regret is that my father in law and my mother were not able to share this experience with me and our family. They would have had plenty of advice to offer and would want to know every single detail. They would have loved the campaign.
 
Our state and nation have a lot of healing to do, and while I may not be the next Attorney General, I plan to remain an active citizen fighting for causes and issues I believe in. I hope all my supporters do too. The fight is not over."

 
PREVIOUS POST: 

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The campaign of former U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita says the Republican candidate for Indiana attorney general has tested positive for COVID-19 after developing "some symptoms." Rokita's campaign said in a statement Tuesday that Rokita is doing well and working from home. The campaign says Rokita was exposed to the virus by someone unconnected to any campaign activities. He faces Democratic candidate Jonathan Weinzapfel, a former Evansville mayor, in Tuesday's most-contested statewide campaign for this year's election. The campaign says Rokita will watch Tuesday's election returns at home with his family.

 

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