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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 43

Indiana House of Representatives. 2-year term.

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What this office does

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives write and vote on state laws as part of the Indiana General Assembly. The House has 100 members, each representing one district for a two-year term [1].

The job in full — the duties the Indiana Code puts in it, the term, what it pays and who sets that, and what to ask a candidate.

Term
2 years [1]
Term limit
None [1]
Seats
100 [1]
On the 2026 ballot
All 100 [2]
What the law puts in this job (2)
  • Introduces and votes on state legislation as one of the two chambers of the Indiana General Assembly [1].
  • Must be at least 21 years old when taking office and have lived in the district for at least a year [1].

About this race

  • House District 43 is in Vigo County [3]; Pfaff's campaign describes it as covering Terre Haute, West Terre Haute and Seelyville [13].
  • Wikipedia's 2026 election summary notes Pfaff was re-elected without opposition in 2024 and that Donald Trump narrowly carried the district in 2024 [14].
  • Pfaff and Lore were the only candidates listed in their parties' May 5, 2026 primaries [14]; both are on the November ballot [2].
  • Key differences: Pfaff opposed the 2025 property-tax law, the 2025 budget and the 2025 redistricting bill and opposes universal private school vouchers [5, 8, 9, 15]; Lore, a Vigo County school board member, emphasizes reducing administrative paperwork for schools, spending accountability and private-sector job growth [16].
  • No general-election debate or forum for this race was found.

Candidates on the ballot

Amy Lore

Republican

Work
Vigo County School Corporation board member; has worked in public service and policy, including as a speechwriter [18]

Amy Lore is a Vigo County School Board member and former board president with a background in public service and policy [17, 18]. She is running on school quality, spending accountability and economic growth [16].

Lore's background

  • Elected to the Vigo County School Corporation board in 2020 and re-elected in 2024; board president 2023–2024 [18].
  • Has years of experience in public service and policy, including as a speechwriter and adviser to former Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman [18].
  • Indiana State University graduate (bachelor's and master's in public administration); lives in Terre Haute's Farrington's Grove neighborhood [18].

Lore's positions

Education

  • Wants to improve student results and teaching quality while reducing administrative paperwork and keeping decisions local; says "Every child needs access to high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed" [16].

Government spending

  • Supports cost-conscious government with fewer unnecessary rules; says "Hoosiers need practical solutions and responsible spending from their leaders" [16].

Economy & jobs

  • Says "Government does not create jobs. It creates an environment where Hoosiers can create jobs" [16].
  • Wants the state to support local partnerships among residents, institutions and businesses in Vigo County [16].

How Lore would run the office

  • Her campaign lists improving schools, responsible government spending and private-sector job growth as priorities [16].

How Lore got on the ballot

  • Had filed as a Republican by early February 2026 [17]; the only Republican listed in the May 5, 2026 primary [14].

What we could not find about Lore

  • No specific positions found on property taxes, vouchers, redistricting, energy or data centers.
  • No news coverage after her February 2026 announcement was found.
  • No statements by Lore about Pfaff or her record were found.
  • No endorsements are listed on her website [19]. No fundraising figures were found.

Lore's campaign website

Sources for Lore

Tonya Pfaff

DemocraticIncumbent

Work
Taught high school math for 32 years in Terre Haute, retiring in 2025 [3]

Tonya Pfaff is the Democratic incumbent, first elected in 2018 and seeking a fifth term [3]. Her 2026 special-needs services bill became law, and she voted against the 2025 property-tax law, budget and redistricting bill [11, 5, 8, 9].

Pfaff's background

  • Taught high school math for 32 years at Terre Haute South, West and North high schools, retiring in 2025 [3].
  • Bachelor's degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and master's from the University of Oklahoma; lives in Terre Haute [20].

Pfaff's positions

Education

  • Says "education funding for our schools, Indiana State University and Ivy Tech are the first priority" and that the teacher shortage "must be addressed" [21].
  • Opposes universal private school vouchers, saying they "take funding meant for the kids in our public schools"; she cites a figure that Vigo County schools have lost more than $36 million since the program expanded [15].

Property taxes

  • Opposed SEA 1 (2025), saying homeowners' savings would be offset by higher local income taxes and asking, "Of course everyone wants to pay less in property taxes, but at what cost?" [6].

Elections & redistricting

  • Said the 2025 congressional maps "were not drawn to benefit Hoosiers, but to artificially boost the political performance of one party" [22].

Economy & jobs

  • Says "Terre Haute and Vigo County must be aggressive in competing for jobs" and supports expanded vocational and apprenticeship programs [21].

Infrastructure

  • Says local roads depend on adequate state funding and calls for affordable high-speed broadband for every home and business [21].

How Pfaff would run the office

  • Lists education and economic development for Terre Haute, West Terre Haute and Seelyville as her legislative goals [3, 13].

Pfaff on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No statements by Pfaff about Lore were found.

How Pfaff got on the ballot

  • The only Democrat listed in the May 5, 2026 primary [14].

What we could not find about Pfaff

  • No 2026 campaign news coverage or debate found.
  • No statements found on energy or data centers.
  • No endorsements are listed on her website [13]. No fundraising figures were found.

Pfaff's record in office

Indiana House record, District 43 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
18
1 became law
Co-authored
33
7 became law
Co-sponsored
12
8 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Agriculture and Rural Development (Ranking Minority Member)
  • Education
  • Ways and Means
  • Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force (House Minority Member)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources, Interim Study Committee on (House Minority Member)
  • Education, Interim Study Committee on (House Minority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 436, No 55
  • 2024: Yes 258, No 42, Excused 9, Not voting 1
  • 2025: Yes 424, No 78, Excused 3, Not voting 5
  • 2026: Yes 310, No 65, Not voting 2
How Pfaff voted on 37 selected bills
The 63 bills Pfaff carried

  • HB 1426: Poll hours.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the polls open at 7 a.m.

  • HB 1427: Same day voter registration.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Permits a voter to register at the polls by: (1) completing a voter registration form along with an affirmation that the person has not voted elsewhere in the election; and (2) providing proof of residence.

  • HB 1452: Exclusion of discharged student loans as income.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the Indiana adjusted gross income add back of forgiven federal student loan debt that is excluded under the Internal Revenue Code applies only to the 2021 taxable year and does not apply to federal student loan debt forgiven in subsequent taxable years.

  • HB 1453: Climate solutions task force.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the climate solutions task force (task force) to review issues related to sustainable and clean energy solutions.

  • HB 1529: Project Lifesaver program requirement for counties.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each county to establish and maintain a Project Lifesaver program.

  • HB 1034: Income tax exemption for military pay.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Exempts military pay for members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard from the individual income tax.

  • HB 1066: Sexual health education.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that if a state accredited school provides instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, the school shall provide comprehensive sexual health education, using appropriate instructors, to students in certain grade levels.

  • HB 1114: New courts and new magistrates.

    2023 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Allows the judges of the Daviess circuit and superior courts to appoint a full-time magistrate.

  • HB 1171: Special education funding.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Makes changes to the categories used to determine special education grants.

  • HB 1336: Various election law matters.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Adds the U.S.

  • HB 1392: Tax credit for teachers' classroom supplies.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases the maximum amount of the income tax credit for an individual employed as a teacher for amounts expended for classroom supplies from $100 to $500 per taxable year.

  • HB 1394: Minimum wage.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases, for any work week beginning on or after July 1, 2023, the minimum wage paid to certain employees from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour.

  • HB 1492: School safety.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Makes changes to the permissible uses of the Indiana secured school fund.

  • HJR 4: Redistricting commission.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the general assembly to establish a commission to draw congressional and legislative districts not later than July 1, 2027.

  • SB 1: Behavioral health matters.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in

  • SB 224: Various elections matters.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Defines "election worker" and makes it a Level 6 felony to take certain actions: (1) for the purpose of influencing an election worker; (2) to obstruct or interfere with an election worker; or (3) that injure an election worker.

  • SB 265: TANF eligibility.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Sets the income eligibility requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program at a specified percentage of the federal income poverty level.

  • SB 276: Selection of poet laureate.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Revises the selection process for a poet laureate.

  • SB 38: Donation of income tax refund for cancer research.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Establishes the Senator David C.

  • SB 4: Public health commission.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "core public health services" for purposes of public health laws.

  • SB 451: Carbon sequestration pilot project.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines the term "pore space".

  • HB 1366: Lane expansion of I-70.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana department of transportation to take action necessary to construct one or more additional lanes of traffic across the state for: (1) eastbound; and (2) westbound; Interstate Highway 70 in areas of Interstate Highway 70 where there are four lanes of traffic.

  • HB 1367: Project Lifesaver program requirement for counties.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each county to establish and maintain a Project Lifesaver program.

  • HB 1368: Riverfront economic development tax area.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows the legislative body of a city or a county without a consolidated city to adopt a resolution establishing a riverfront economic development tax area (tax area).

  • HB 1004: Pension matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment.

  • HB 1046: Wage history and wage range.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits, with certain exceptions, an employer from relying on the wage history of an applicant in the hiring process and in determining wages.

  • HB 1104: School safety.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a school safety plan developed by a school corporation or charter school must establish an armed intruder drill protocol.

  • HB 1135: Cosmetology apprenticeships.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that an individual who completes a United States Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program to practice cosmetology may take the cosmetologist licensure examination and, upon passage of the examination, practice as a cosmetologist.

  • HB 1253: Internet and social media literacy education.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education to develop curricula concerning Internet and social media literacy.

  • HB 1358: Excused absences.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "crisis day".

  • SB 185: Student use of wireless communication device.

    2024 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires each school corporation and charter school to: (1) adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that governs student use of a wireless communication device; and (2) publish the policy on the school corporation's or charter school's website.

  • SB 286: Selection of poet laureate.

    2024 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the membership of the poet laureate selection committee.

  • HB 1087: Lane expansion of I-70.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana department of transportation to take action necessary to construct one or more additional lanes of traffic across Indiana for: (1) eastbound; and (2) westbound; Interstate Highway 70 in areas of Interstate Highway 70 where there are four lanes of traffic.

  • HB 1153: Project Lifesaver program requirement for counties.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each county to establish and maintain a Project Lifesaver program.

  • HB 1510: School counselor grants.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the school counselor grant fund.

  • HB 1511: Riverfront economic development tax area.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows the legislative body of a city or a county without a consolidated city to adopt a resolution establishing a riverfront economic development tax area (tax area).

  • HB 1512: Outdoor recreation.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the outdoor recreation development program within the Indiana destination development corporation to coordinate tourism development activities with outdoor recreation business opportunities.

  • HB 1513: Student self-regulation program.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education to establish, or partner with a third party to establish, the Indiana student self-regulation program.

  • HB 1059: High value workforce ready credit-bearing grant.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that an applicant who has previously received a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree may be eligible for a high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant if the applicant: (1) received a diploma of graduation, a high school equivalency certificate, or a state of Indiana general educational development diploma five or more years before the applicant applies for a grant; and (2) is

  • HB 1144: Courts.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may not appoint more than 11 magistrates.

  • HB 1203: Reservist tuition supplement program.

    2025 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Establishes the reservist tuition supplement program fund (fund).

  • HB 1296: Artificial intelligence inventory and policies.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education (department) to establish the following: (1) Guidelines and a model policy regarding school artificial intelligence policies.

  • HB 1305: Mental health and substance use disorder screening.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each school corporation and charter school to develop a plan to conduct developmentally appropriate evidence based: (1) mental health screening; and (2) substance use disorder screening; for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

  • HB 1306: Tax credit for teacher's classroom supplies.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases the maximum amount of the income tax credit for an individual employed as a teacher for amounts expended for classroom supplies from $100 to $300 per taxable year.

  • HB 1308: Nutrition supports Medicaid waiver.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to apply, not later than October 1, 2025, for approval of a Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver or any other Medicaid waiver to provide coverage for nutrition supports for specified individuals.

  • HB 1436: Free state park admission for non-motorized entry.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the department of natural resources may not charge an individual traveling on foot, a bicycle, or horseback an admission fee for a state park or recreation area.

  • HB 1439: Information concerning cytomegalovirus infection.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana department of health to: (1) establish and administer a public education program to provide information on cytomegalovirus to pregnant women; and (2) distribute the information to specified persons.

  • HB 1440: Suicide prevention materials.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each school corporation to develop a plan: (1) to notify a child's parents if the child is a victim of bullying or if the child expresses suicidal thoughts; and (2) to provide the child's parents with certain suicide awareness materials and firearms storage materials.

  • HB 1543: Vigo County courts.

    2025 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Allows the judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint one magistrate to serve the Vigo County courts.

  • HB 1544: Tax credit for public school foundation.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides a 25% state tax credit for contributions made to a public school foundation for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2028.

  • HB 1552: Coverage for treatment of chronic diseases.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to provide coverage for anti-obesity medication and intensive behavioral and lifestyle therapy.

  • SB 119: Certificate of public advantage.

    2025 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Prohibits the submission of an application for a certificate of public advantage (application) after May 13, 2025.

  • SB 382: County transfers or gifts to school corporations.

    2025 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Provides that, if a county transfers or gifts any unencumbered funds to a school corporation, the county executive may establish a local board to have oversight and manage the use of the funds.

  • HB 1083: Lane expansion of I-70.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana department of transportation to take action necessary to construct one or more additional lanes of traffic across Indiana for: (1) eastbound; and (2) westbound; Interstate Highway 70 in areas of Interstate Highway 70 where there are four lanes of traffic.

  • HB 1174: Project Lifesaver program requirement for counties.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each county to establish and maintain a Project Lifesaver program.

  • HB 1175: Study of state house accessibility improvements.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of administration (IDOA) and the Indiana protection and advocacy services commission (IPASC) to jointly study the accessibility of the state house to individuals with disabilities.

  • HB 1325: Special education.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the department of education, in collaboration with the Indiana department of health, the department of child services, and the office of the secretary of family and social services to report and make recommendations concerning certain data regarding residential placement, developmental preschool, and special education.

  • HB 1040: Battery against school and healthcare employees.

    2026 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate

    Increases the penalty for battery on certain health care employees and school employees.

  • HB 1075: Mental health and substance use disorder screening.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each school corporation and charter school to develop a plan to conduct developmentally appropriate evidence based: (1) mental health screening; and (2) substance use disorder screening; for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

  • HB 1084: Plug-in solar power systems.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines a "plug-in solar power system" as a moveable photovoltaic generation device that: (1) has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts; (2) is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard outlet; and (3) is intended primarily to offset part of the electricity consumption in the building in which it is used.

  • HB 1087: Overdose reversal medication.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that, subject to available funding, the division of mental health and addiction may develop an application to provide funds to a school corporation or school maintained by a school corporation to obtain a federal Food and Drug Administration approved opioid overdose reversal medication.

  • HB 1356: Conservation of agricultural land.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each board of county commissioners to adopt an ordinance to allow landowners to apply to have land included in an agricultural resource area within the county.

  • SB 27: Stadium authority.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the northwest Indiana stadium authority (stadium authority) for the purpose of acquiring and financing certain facilities.

How this record was put together, and what it does not show

What we list: 28 bills chosen by a rule that does not look at topic: both state budgets, four bills named in advance, the 2025-26 redistricting bill, and in each session and chamber the 3 bills whose final-passage vote drew the most “nay” votes.

  • Votes reflect party caucus dynamics. Indiana has Republican supermajorities in both chambers, and many floor votes split along party lines; a single vote says little without the bill and its context.
  • Bills often die for procedural reasons, such as no committee hearing or a deadline, and a bill marked “not reported from committee” may have become law inside another bill.
  • A third-reading vote is on the version in front of the chamber at that time; the final version can be very different.
  • Authoring and co-authoring are different: co-authors sign on, often in large numbers, and usually did not write the bill.
  • Attendance counts roll calls on bills and joint resolutions (about 89% of numbered roll calls). “Excused” is an absence the chamber approved; “not voting” means no vote was recorded.

Where Pfaff's record came from

Pfaff's campaign website

Sources for Pfaff

Forums and debates

Public events where you can see the candidates, from the hosts' own announcements. Check the host's page for changes before you go.

  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026 · Candidate forum (held)

    League of Women Voters state legislature candidate forum (Terre Haute area) · hosted by League of Women Voters

    Candidates invited or confirmed: Kacey Blundell, Greg Goode, Brandi Vandivier, Tim R. Yocum, Tonya Pfaff, Amy Lore, Rebecca Dawn (Becky) Mayfield

    Recording · Details (Blue 812 News (Substack))

Key points

  • Pfaff and Lore were the only candidates listed in their parties' May 5, 2026 primaries; both are on the November ballot. (Wikipedia)

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. State Rep. Tonya Pfaff: biography and committees (Indiana House Democratic Caucus)
  4. House Roll Call 433: SB 1 (Local government finance), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  5. Pfaff votes against tax hike on Hoosiers (Indiana House Democratic Caucus)
  6. House Roll Call 576: HB 1001 (State budget), conference committee report (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  7. House Roll Call 28: HB 1032 (Redistricting), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  8. Indiana HB 1325 (2026): bill status (PolicyRisk)
  9. Tonya Pfaff for State Representative (campaign website) (Elect Tonya Pfaff)
  10. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  11. Pfaff reflects on universal private school vouchers in Indiana (Indiana House Democratic Caucus)
  12. Issues (Amy Lore campaign)
  13. Amy Lore running for state representative in District 43 (Tribune-Star)
  14. About Amy (Amy Lore campaign)
  15. Amy Lore for State Representative (campaign website) (Amy Lore campaign)
  16. About Tonya (Elect Tonya Pfaff)
  17. Platform (Elect Tonya Pfaff)
  18. Pfaff decries House passage of Republicans' gerrymandered congressional maps (Indiana House Democratic Caucus)
What's included
the U.S. House, statewide offices, every Indiana House and Senate district on the ballot, Indiana's statewide public questions and judicial retention questions, and county, township, city, town and school board races from the Indiana Election Division's candidate list.
Everything else
Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: IndianaVoters.in.gov.
Candidate lists
As of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
At the polls
Indiana law lets you bring a list of candidates and public questions into the polling place, including one stored on your phone, as long as you don't electioneer. IC 3-11-8-18.5

This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.