INDIANAPOLIS — Attorney General Todd Rokita defeated Democratic challenger Destiny Wells on Tuesday to retain his seat as the state’s top law enforcement official.

“The voters of this great state sent a clear message: They want to end illegal immigration; they want to keep dangerous criminals out of their neighborhoods,” Rokita said Tuesday. “They’re tired of their hospitals and their schools being overrun. They want to protect our jobs and our economy. They want to protect our families and our commonsense Hoosier values.”

He added, “My opponent spent hundreds of thousands of dollars running false, negative TV ads and radio ads. She is part of the far left of this state, which does exist and which seeks to send Indiana into an extreme direction. I’m proud to tell you, my fellow Republicans, I did not lie. I did not run a negative campaign.”

Wells said in her concession speech, “Change is incremental. We held our ground in the state Legislature. We did not concede any seats so far. In fact, we have only gained.”

Wells said she told Rokita tonight that she looks forward to a peaceful transfer of power no matter the outcome of the presidential election. 

“We have started to swing back to the left,” Wells said. “These things do not happen overnight. We will make gains. We will. That’s all that we have room to do.”

State Affairs reporters Jarred Meeks and Rory Appleton contributed to this article.

Brian A. Howey is senior writer and columnist for Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs. Find Howey on Facebook and X @hwypol.