OPINION: Diego Morales, A Man of the People, A Statesman Reclaiming the Role of Public Servant
- Logan Foster
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Title: OPINION: Diego Morales, A Man of the People, A Statesman Reclaiming the Role of Public Servant
Author: Logan Foster
Date: 07/10/25
When we think of government officials, how often do words like “unreachable,” “disconnected,” or “out of touch” come to mind? For many, this perception fuels a deep sense of frustration, particularly when calls or inquiries addressing societal concerns go unanswered.
This has certainly been my experience in South Bend, Indiana. Over the past two years, I’ve made repeated attempts to address issues concerning crime and safety with our Democratic Mayor, James Mueller. I’ve spoken at nearly 40 consecutive South Bend Common Council meetings, yet my concerns remain unaddressed and, almost always, outright ignored. My phone calls, emails, and personal pleas have all been met with silence, leaving me and many others feeling overlooked by South Bend’s 11 Democrats who were elected to represent and protect us.
Contrast this with the actions of Indiana's Republican Secretary of State, Diego Morales. Representing close to 7 million Hoosiers, Morales has taken a different approach. Morales has chosen to actually be a public servant, actively engaging with the people he serves. And instead of confining himself to the bureaucratic comfort of an office in Indianapolis, Morales prioritizes being physically present across Indiana. His hands-on leadership style reflects the belief that “you cannot serve the public’s interests if you do not know what the public is interested in.”
Just this month alone, Morales has visited dozens of counties across Indiana, attending county fairs, naturalization ceremonies, and other public events. Engaging voters, both supporters and critics alike. This level of accessibility is rare and commendable in our current political landscape.
Here are a few photos:
Just last week, Morales visited Pulaski County, IN, to speak with voters. Pulaski County ranks 83rd out of 92 of the most populous counties in the state. These regions are often overlooked by state officeholders due to their small populations or perceived as “lacking political influence.” Yet, Morales has made it a point to travel to these rural areas, ensuring that even the most "out-of-reach" communities feel heard and valued.
Born in Guatemala, Morales immigrated to the United States in 1999, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen and later serving in the United States Army and Indiana National Guard. His journey from immigrant to Indiana’s 63rd Secretary of State is a testament to his commitment to public service and the American Dream.
During his tenure as Secretary of State, Morales has focused on strengthening election security and ensuring the integrity of Indiana’s voting systems. Under his leadership, Indiana has risen to the Heritage Foundation's top 10 states for election integrity. This achievement reflects Morales’ efforts to implement stricter voter ID laws, enhance voter list maintenance, and introduce procedural audits to ensure transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
Say what you will about Diego Morales, but one thing remains clear: he is not hiding from the people. He exemplifies statesmanship in practice by showing up, listening, and taking meaningful steps toward understanding and addressing public concerns.
Isn’t that, regardless of party affiliation, what every public official should strive for?