Congressmen Messer and Rokita silent as colleague calls on Americans to “allow… the process to work”

INDIANAPOLIS – Many Republicans, and even some of the party’s Hoosier elected officials, are looking at today’s developments resulting from Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election with clear eyes. But many others have shamefully politicized the news, and even more – including Indiana’s Republican senate candidates – have tried to hide out of the spotlight.

The indictments handed down by Robert Mueller, a Republican and respected former head of the FBI, of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and one of his associates represent another step forward in the independent investigation into Russian interference in our elections. Congressman Jim Banks has produced one of his party’s more level-headed responses to the news, responding on Twitter this morning that “Months ago I & many other Republicans vowed to support Mueller investigation & allow it to work its way through process to get the facts… In light of today’s indictments we must continue to support and allow the integrity of the process to work.”

However, all three of Indiana’s major GOP Senate candidates have yet to weigh in on the news. Neither Congressman Messer nor Congressman Rokita have made clear if they agree with Congressman Banks. Previously, however, Congressman Messer had opposed appointing a special prosecutor like Mueller at all, while Congressman Rokita has repeatedly denigrated the investigation and called it “cynical political maneuvering.” And despite resigning from the Indiana statehouse to focus more on his Senate bid, former state Rep. Mike Braun has yet to make clear if he shares the opinion of the Fort Wayne Republican. Until the candidates weigh in, it will be hard to tell if they align with Congressman Banks’ sober-minded statement, or the extreme vitriol that has been the response on the far right.

“As Robert Mueller’s investigation continues, it’s vital that our elected officials make clear the search will be able to follow the facts, wherever they lead,” said Will Baskin-Gerwitz, Senior Media Strategist for the Indiana Democratic Party. “That’s why Congressmen Messer and Rokita, as well as State Rep. Mike Braun, ought to make clear they agree with Congressman Banks. Serious candidates for Senate ought to stand up for the rule of law, not partisan obstruction.”

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