Former Republican candidate who pledged to 'restore trust' in elections arrested for stealing ballots

An Indiana man who ran for Congress this year and promised to restore trust in elections has been arrested and charged with stealing ballots during a test of voting machines.

Larry Savage Jr., 51, ran in the Republican Primary for Indianas 5th Congressional District, in which he finished in sixth place with less than two percent of the vote.

Savage ran as a self-described common man who would restore trust and protect civil rights in fair, transparent elections.

He had been elected as a local party leader to attend a public voting machine test on October 3 in Madison County.

Four voting machines were tested out with 136 ballots but two had gone missing. Surveillance video showed Savage taking them, folding them and putting them into his pocket. 

An Indiana man who ran for Congress this year and promised to restore trust in elections has been arrested and charged with stealing ballots during a test of voting machines

Larry Savage Jr. (circled left), 51, ran in the Republican Primary for Indianas 5th Congressional District, in which he finished in sixth place with less than two percent of the vote

State police found the ballots in Savages car after executing a search warrant, Fox 59 reported.

Savage argued to authorities that he only took the ballots because he had been told by an official at the event that they were fake.

You talking about the ballot the lady told me I could take, Savage said, according to the charging documents. 

I got the paper youre talking about. I just rolled it up and put it in my pocket. I wasnt trying to steal from nobody.

However, the attendees were told by the official on the surveillance video: They are live ballots. They are live election ballots. 

It was also revealed that after hed taken the ballots, Savage told state auditor candidate and fellow Republican Katherine Callahan: f***ed up count. 

He also reportedly made several posts on someones Facebook Live stream to the same effect.  

Officers asked Savage why he put the ballots in his pocket if he thought they were free to take.

State police found the ballots in Savages car after executing a search warrant

Savage argued to authorities that he only took the ballots because he had been told by an official at the event that they were fake

County prosecutors say he responded by stating that he wasnt going to incriminate himself. 

Savage then claimed that he didnt have plans to do anything untoward with the ballots and wouldve given them back if hed known he wasnt supposed to.

However, a search of Savages cell phone records reveals he texted Callahan, asking: Sis they say anything about the ballots I took? 

A warrant was issued for Savages arrest on Monday. A day later, he turned himself in, according to the Indy Star.

He faces one charge of destroying or misplacing a ballot and one charge of theft.

The voting machine company said that Savage engaged in sabotage of the public test and their voting equipment. 

The states Republican Party has now condemned the man who said he ran as a MAGA candidate.

We unequivocally condemn any form of criminal election interference, Griffin Reid said in a statement. 

Savage claimed that he didnt have plans to do anything untoward with the ballots and wouldve given them back if hed known he wasnt supposed to

Savage appears to have responded to the arrest on Facebook, where he has made his cover photo his own mugshot

We appreciate law enforcements efforts in pursuing justice and we will continue to monitor this situation as the process unfolds. 

Savage appears to have responded to the arrest on Facebook, where he has made his cover photo his own mugshot.

He wrote on one post: The truth is gonna come out!