Curtis Hill is seen during an interview at The Diner in Warsaw Thursday morning, Aug. 18. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — In May 2018, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill took the stage with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in a packed rally at North Side Middle School in Elkhart.

At that moment, Hill was seen by some as a rising star among Republicans with a bright future, and Trump even pointed out that Hill received more votes than anybody ever in a statewide race in Indiana when he became attorney general in 2017.

But just two months later, he found himself in a scandal, accused of groping four women in an Indianapolis bar at the end of the legislative season.

In 2018, Hill was accused of sexual misconduct by four women, prompting calls for his resignation. Hill has denied the allegations. An investigation by a special prosecutor found the allegations credible but also found that there was insufficient evidence to convict Hill of a crime.

In 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court found that he committed a misdemeanor battery in violation of rules of professional conduct and suspended Hill’s bar license for 30 days.

Republicans then nominated Todd Rokita over Hill and two others to be on the ballot for attorney general in 2020.

Looking back, Hill, 61, said he views it as the cost of being in politics.

“It’s very easy to be targeted and I was targeted politically because of the differences I have with several mainline party regulars,” Hill said.

He points out that the prosecutor cleared him and two lawsuits were dismissed.

And now, suddenly, Hill is looking at getting back into public service.

Hill will be one of 12 people seeking to fill the vacancy in Congress after the death of 2nd District Rep. Jackie Walorski, who died in a car crash near Nappanee on Aug. 3. Republicans will hold two caucuses in Mishawaka Saturday for a special election to fill the remainder of the term and to choose somebody for the upcoming general election.

He said he can best pay tribute to Walorski “by carrying on her fight for public safety, families and core conservative principles.”

“What I’ve learned is, I can take a punch,” Hill said Thursday morning at The Diner in Warsaw, one of three stops in the city as he works to line up support for precinct committee members participating in the caucus.

“If you’re going to be engaged in public service, you’re going to have to expect to take a hit. I’ve proven that Curtis Hill can take a punch and keep standing. It’s that kind of toughness that I think is necessary when sending people to Washington to do battle in a toxic environment,” he said.

When asked if he thinks people are ready to move on, his reply was, “absolutely.”

“The people who know me and have known me in the district and across the state … they trust me. They know my position in regard to families, in regard to marriage, and in regard to women.”

He said he spent years as a prosecutor in Elkhart County working on cases involving sexual assault and child victims.

In the past two years, Hill said he’s been spending time doing consulting.

He’s also involved in a senior fellowship project for the Center for Urban Renewal and Education. He recently co-authored a column, “Thinking Red and Voting Blue – Winning the Black Vote Explained.”

“The racial divide in this country is not as nearly as severe as it is perceived to be. But perceptions can be reality and that reality is growing on a daily basis so you have to intercede and develop an empathetic approach and gain credibility within these communities,” he said.

He continues to be an outspoken supporter of Trump.

“I’d like to see someone run with the policies that Trump ran under,” and add, “I would welcome Trump’s return.”

“We know what we get when we get Trump,” he adds. 

Given the political tumult across the nation involving the 2020 presidential election and Jan. 6, InkFreeNews asked several questions about current events.

He said he considers Joe Biden to be legitimately elected but says voter integrity remains a big issue.

“I think voter integrity has been hijacked by the left under this ruse that it’s racist,” he said.

While he said he doesn’t condone the violence and crimes seen at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and says describing it as an insurrection is “extreme.”

And he doesn’t think Trump is responsible for what unfolded.

“I am not of the opinion that President Trump intended for anyone to go into the Capitol and be disruptive. I’ve seen no evidence to that effect,” he said.

Curtis Hill (center) was joined by local Republicans during a gathering Thursday, Aug. 18, at Downtown Eatery and Spirits in Warsaw. Facing the camera from left is Lynn Howie, Hill, Jean Northenor, Kosciusko County GOP Chairman Mike Ragan and Jack Wilhite. Seated across from them is Scott Clay. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.