Indiana governor not yet backing attorney general challenger

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb isn't yet throwing his support behind a top official of his administration in challenging the state attorney general who is awaiting the outcome from an investigation into allegations of drunkenly groping four women.

Holcomb filed paperwork Tuesday for the Republican nomination seeking a second term in the 2020 election but said afterward it was 'œall premature'ť to say whether he would endorse a challenger to embattled Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill.

Holcomb said he believed the four women's accusations against Hill and that nothing had changed his mind since calling for Hill's resignation in July 2018 after those allegations become public.

Adam Krupp formally announced last week he would resign as state revenue department commission to challenge Hill for the attorney general nomination in June's state Republican convention.

Hill, who announced his reelection bid in November, has denied wrongdoing during the March 2018 party at an Indianapolis bar for state lawmakers, legislative staffers and lobbyists. The Indiana Supreme Court's Disciplinary Commission is seeking a two-year suspension of Hill's law license, which would put his job as state government's top lawyer in jeopardy.

Holcomb said he would have more to say once the state Supreme Court decides whether to punish Hill.

'œI'm going to not interfere with a co-equal branch of government as they do their work,'ť Holcomb said. 'œI'm just as anxious to see what steps they take before I take my next one.'ť