Republican David Shelton joins Democrat Beau Bayh to demand audit

Republican David Shelton has joined forces with Democratic Secretary of State candidate Beau Bayh to call for an independent audit of the office currently held by Republican Diego Morales. The move comes amid allegations of fraud and misspending during Morales’s tenure.

Shelton, a former Republican candidate for the office, argued that an investigation by the Inspector General would be insufficient and that an independent audit is necessary to determine if criminal prosecution is warranted. Beau Bayh stated that the audit must be “independent, transparent, and guided by facts, not politics,” emphasizing that protecting taxpayers is not a partisan issue.

The alliance has drawn criticism from within the Republican party. Candidate Max Engling labeled the move “hypocrisy,” while political commentator Tony Katz described the partnership as “political malpractice,” suggesting that Shelton’s decision to cross party lines serves as a de facto endorsement of the Democratic nominee.