Mike Braun, the GOP’s nominee for Indiana governor, aired a new political advertisement this past week using a digitally altered photograph of opponent Democrat Jennifer McCormick, prompting cries of dishonesty because the ads didn’t initially disclose as required by state law that the image was altered.

And the criticism Braun is receiving is deserved.

An Indiana law, HEA 1133, requires disclosures around digital alterations in campaign messaging. It’s an actual law.

Braun’s campaign quickly labeled the entire incident a “mistake,” saying the original version of the advertisement sent to television stations omitted the required labeling in error.

The ad shows McCormick standing in front of a group of people holding signs, which have been altered from McCormick’s campaign signs to showing “No Gas Stoves!” on the signage. The image, originally published in the South Bend Tribune, was changed by the Braun campaign to make it appear McCormick was sending a message about being anti-gas stoves at a rally through the signs.

“Yes. I’ve seen the ad,” according to a McCormick post on X. “No. I don’t care what type of stove you use. I am focusing on real issues like women’s reproductive freedoms, education and good paying jobs. My opponent is apparently focused on stoves …”

Josh Kelley, a senior adviser for the Braun campaign, claimed McCormick had altered Braun’s appearance in her ads without a disclaimer, adding that the Braun ad broadcast without the disclaimer was a mistake. He also claimed Braun was the first candidate to comply with the new law, by adding the disclaimer, according to reporting by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Braun is campaigning on a platform of being a hard-working businessman and conservative with a 12-part plan to improve Indiana. He claims the values of faith, family and community on his campaign website and talks about his “Main Street” values as a candidate.

A recent poll by Democrats shows McCormick is closing the gap to about 3 points behind Braun in the governor’s race. Inside Elections lowered the governor’s race rating from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican” recently, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, while other polls show Braun solidly in the lead.

It’s time to demand all candidates in Indiana elections, including Mike Braun, not only comply with the state law regarding altered images in campaign advertising, but avoid altering images at all in any campaign advertising.

We as voters deserve better from any candidate who wants to be our governor or hold any public office in Indiana.