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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 44

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 44 includes all of Putnam County and part of Montgomery County [3, 11]. (Owen County is not part of the district.)
  • Baird won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary over Clint Cooper, 3,471 votes (61.5%) to 2,171 (38.5%) [12]. Ahead of the primary, both President Trump and Gov. Mike Braun endorsed Baird [13].
  • Kauffman was the only Democrat listed in the primary [14]; both are on the November ballot [2]. Baird was re-elected without opposition in 2024 [14].
  • Key differences: Baird voted for the 2025 property-tax law, the 2025 budget and the 2025 redistricting bill [7, 8, 9]; Kauffman criticizes the property-tax changes as favoring corporations, opposes the mid-decade redistricting effort, and opposes requiring sheriffs to assist federal immigration enforcement without funding [15, 16].
  • No debate or forum for this race was found.

Candidates on the ballot

Beau Baird

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
Chief financial officer of Indiana Home Care Plus; owns Baird Ranch, a quarter horse breeding operation [3]

Beau Baird is the Republican incumbent, first elected in 2018, and chairs the House Environmental Affairs Committee [3]. His recent bills have dealt with rural health care, agriculture education and forestry permitting [5, 6, 4].

Baird's background

  • Chief financial officer of Indiana Home Care Plus, a home health agency; owns Baird Ranch, a quarter horse breeding operation near Greencastle [3].
  • Greencastle High School and Purdue University graduate; serves on the American Quarter Horse Association international board and chairs the Putnam County Republican Party [3].

Baird's positions

Property taxes

  • Voted for SEA 1 (2025) [7]; said it "takes meaningful steps to provide relief to homeowners, farmers, veterans and fixed-income seniors" [17].

Health care

  • On HEA 1555: "Access to quality health care remains a critical issue for Hoosiers, especially in rural communities" [5].

Agriculture

  • On HB 1660: "4-H and FFA equip students with essential skills that prepare them for success beyond the classroom" [6].
  • Said HEA 1601 "will cut red tape for Hoosier loggers" [4].

Public safety

  • On HEA 1165: "This gives law enforcement the tools they need to hold animal abusers accountable" [10].

Elections & redistricting

  • Voted for HB 1032, the 2025 congressional redistricting bill [9]. No public statement from Baird on the vote was found.

How Baird would run the office

  • After the 2026 session said lawmakers focused on "practical solutions that lower costs for Hoosier families" [18].

Baird on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No statements by Baird about Kauffman were found.

How Baird got on the ballot

  • Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary over Clint Cooper with 61.5% [12].

Baird's endorsements and funding

  • Endorsed by President Trump and Gov. Braun in the 2026 primary [13]. No fundraising figures were found.

What we could not find about Baird

  • Unverified (Wikipedia list only): endorsements from Indiana Farm Bureau AgELECT PAC, NFIB Indiana PAC and the NRA Political Victory Fund.
  • Whether HB 1660 was signed into law was not separately confirmed.
  • No statements on data centers or energy policy found despite his environmental committee chair role.

Baird's record in office

Indiana House record, District 44 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
23
9 became law
Co-authored
34
14 became law
Sponsored
12
8 became law
Co-sponsored
10
8 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Environmental Affairs (Chair)
  • Environmental Affairs, Interim Study Committee on (House Chair)
  • State Fair Advisory Committee (House Vice-Chair)
  • Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Rules and Legislative Procedures
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 364, No 56, Excused 66, Not voting 5
  • 2024: Yes 258, No 26, Excused 22, Not voting 4
  • 2025: Yes 345, No 75, Excused 84, Not voting 6
  • 2026: Yes 222, No 101, Excused 47, Not voting 7
How Baird voted on 37 selected bills
The 79 bills Baird carried

  • HB 1599: Tourism improvement districts.

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

    Provides that a person may circulate a petition to create a tourism improvement district (district) within the territory of a county, city, or town.

  • HB 1600: Oversight of pandemic relief funding.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the auditor of state (auditor) to engage internal or third party assistance to perform a risk assessment of executive branch agency internal controls for administering and disbursing federal: (1) pandemic relief funds; (2) economic stimulus funds; or (3) loan funds.

  • HB 1601: Exemption from permitting requirements.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a forestry operation that conducts its operations in compliance with the Indiana Logging and Forestry Best Management Practices Field Guide published by the Indiana department of natural resources is exempt from any requirement to obtain a permit from the department of natural resources or the department of environmental management concerning forestry activities confined to a waterwa

  • 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 1209: Destination development corporation foundation.

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

    Allows the destination development corporation (corporation) to establish a nonprofit subsidiary corporation to solicit and accept private sector funding, gifts, donations, bequests, devises, and contributions.

  • HB 1210: Indiana destination development corporation board.

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

    Adds a member to the Indiana destination development corporation board.

  • HB 1448: Sales tax exemption for agricultural equipment.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a transaction involving a person's acquisition of agricultural machinery, tools, or equipment is exempt from the application of the state gross retail tax regardless of whether the person also intends to use the property for a nonexempt purpose and that such a transaction may not be prorated.

  • HB 1478: Meat expansion and development program.

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

    Establishes the meat processing investment grant program fund to provide grants to eligible applicants.

  • HB 1526: Proof of vehicle registration.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Removes the requirement that a decal or sticker issued by the bureau of motor vehicles must be displayed on a vehicle as proof of registration of the vehicle.

  • HB 1648: Sentence modification.

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

    Establishes an additional sentencing modification procedure for certain individuals and requires that the department of correction annually review inmate records and transmit certain information to specified persons.

  • SB 242: Floodplain mapping.

    2023 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Repeals the requirement that local floodplain administrators use the "best floodplain mapping data" as provided by the department of natural resources (department) and located on the Indiana Floodplain Information Portal when reviewing an application for a permit to authorize construction in or near a floodplain.

  • SB 243: State spending report for taxpayers.

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

    Requires the department of state revenue (department) to annually provide each resident individual taxpayer who paid adjusted gross income taxes in the immediately previous taxable year a taxpayer receipt statement in an electronic format explaining how the individual taxpayer's taxes are being used.

  • 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 184: Hunting and fishing license agents.

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

    Provides that (in addition to the $0.75 service fee a license agent authorized to sell licenses for fish and wildlife shall retain) a license agent may also charge on each transaction both a: (1) $0.25 processing fee; and (2) 1.96% fee; to cover credit card processing costs associated with the sale of a license.

  • SB 423: Animal impoundment.

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

    Defines "impound agency" for purposes of the law concerning offenses related to animals.

  • HB 1345: Tourism improvement districts.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a person may circulate a petition to create a tourism improvement district (district) within the territory of a county, city, or town.

  • HB 1378: Coverage for mobile integrated healthcare services.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires health plans, subject to applicable deductible and coinsurance for a state employee health plan, to provide reimbursement for emergency medical services that are performed or provided during a response initiated as part of a mobile integrated healthcare program currently established in Delaware, White, and Montgomery counties.

  • HB 1412: Canine standard of care.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Sets forth regulations concerning the retail sale of dogs.

  • HB 1417: Agricultural matters.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the department of agriculture to conduct an economic impact study that includes an analysis of the economic value to communities of every acre of farmland.

  • HB 1419: Use of hemp products in animal feed.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides, for purposes of the commercial feed law, that the definition of "commercial feed" includes hemp or a substance derived from hemp added for use as feed or for mixing in feed for a pet, specialty pet, horse, or animal that will not be sold for human consumption.

  • HB 1001: Education and higher education matters.

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

    Amends the definition of "eligible student" to include a sibling of a student with a disability with regards to the education scholarship account program (ESA).

  • HB 1002: Enforcement of equal educational opportunity.

    2024 · Co-authored · passed both chambers; vetoed by the Governor

    Defines "antisemitism", specifies that the public policy of the state is to provide educational opportunities free of religious discrimination, and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, or national origin.

  • 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 1203: Xylazine.

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

    Makes possession of xylazine a Class A misdemeanor, and increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior xylazine related conviction.

  • HB 1361: Excused absence from school.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the governing body of a school corporation or the chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school system shall authorize the absence and excuse of a school student if the student participates in certain events offered by the National FFA Organization, the Indiana FFA Association, or a 4-H club.

  • HB 1394: DNR best available flood hazard data.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "DNR best available data" as: (1) flood hazard mapping data that were created by the department of natural resources (department) and are available on January 1, 2024, on the Indiana Floodplain Information Portal; or (2) any other mapping data created by the department after October 2018 at least in part through the use of techniques other than direct observation and measurement by individ

  • HB 1401: Various natural resources matters.

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

    Pauses all tax sales on mineral interests for one year.

  • HB 1430: Access to TikTok on state information technology.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that an individual who is issued an electronic device by the state of Indiana for purposes of the individual's work for or on behalf of the state of Indiana may not: (1) install the TikTok application on the electronic device; or (2) use the electronic device to access the website of a corporation that owns and distributes the TikTok application.

  • SB 105: Updated Indiana Drainage Handbook.

    2024 · Sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House

    Requires the state department of agriculture (department) to oversee and take all actions necessary for the preparation and publication of an updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook.

  • SB 140: Natural resources.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a person may perform certain activities without obtaining a permit from the department of natural resources (department).

  • SB 142: Coverage for mobile integrated healthcare services.

    2024 · Sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Provides that: (1) a state employee health plan; (2) a policy of accident and sickness policy; and (3) an individual or group contract; must provide reimbursement beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2027, for emergency medical services that are performed or provided in specified counties by a mobile integrated healthcare program.

  • SB 246: Assessment of wetlands classified as wildlands.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a parcel of land that: (1) is at least 1/2 of an acre in size; and (2) contains wetlands, as delineated by a person certified in wetland delineation; may be classified as wildlands for purposes of property tax assessment.

  • SB 61: Tourism improvement districts.

    2024 · Sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Provides that a person may circulate a petition to create a tourism improvement district (district) within the territory of a county, city, or town (local unit).

  • SB 10: Community cares initiative grant pilot program.

    2024 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House

    Establishes the community cares initiative grant pilot program for the purpose of assisting in the costs of starting or expanding mobile integrated health care programs and mobile crisis teams in Indiana.

  • SB 104: Veterinary medicine.

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

    Requires the state police department to disclose to the board of veterinary medicine (board) the criminal history or activity of veterinary license or certificate holders or applicants.

  • SB 241: Taking bobcats.

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

    Requires the department of natural resources to establish and implement a season to take bobcats not later than July 1, 2025.

  • SB 284: Consumer genetic testing providers.

    2024 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Provides that a person may not discriminate against an individual on the basis of the individual's solicitation and use of consumer genetic testing services or on the basis of the results of genetic testing performed by a provider of consumer genetic testing services (provider).

  • HB 1419: Grain indemnity.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "revocation of a license".

  • HB 1425: Food matters.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes a two year moratorium on the sale of cultivated meat products in Indiana.

  • HB 1490: Equine dentistry at horse racing tracks.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows the horse racing commission (commission) to issue a license for certain individuals to provide teeth floating on a licensed horse race track in Indiana.

  • HB 1491: Indiana nonprofit security grant fund.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the Indiana nonprofit security grant fund for the purpose of funding physical security improvements, security personnel improvements, and other protective measures for nonprofit organizations in Indiana that are at high risk due to the nature of their ideology, beliefs, or mission.

  • HB 1555: Licensure of foreign trained physicians.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes a limited medical license for individuals who: (1) have graduated from certain international medical programs; (2) obtain a health care facility sponsor in an underserved area; and (3) meet certain other criteria.

  • HB 1556: Free state park admission for veterans.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of natural resources to provide free admission to state parks to veterans with the proper identification.

  • HB 1557: Prescribed burning.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "prescribed burn".

  • HB 1659: Ethics implementation fund.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the ethics implementation fund (fund) for the purpose of providing grants to course providers that offer ethics training courses for teachers.

  • HB 1660: Excused absence from school.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the governing body of a school corporation or the chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school system shall authorize the absence and excuse of a school student if the student participates in certain events offered by the National FFA Organization, the Indiana FFA Association, or a 4-H club.

  • HB 1661: Healthy forests and hardwoods expansion.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of natural resources to create the landowner forest management program.

  • HB 1007: Energy generation resources.

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

    Provides a credit against state tax liability for expenses incurred in the manufacture of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in Indiana.

  • HB 1223: Tourism development projects.

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

    Establishes a program administered by the Indiana destination development corporation (IDDC) to provide an incentive for tourism development projects in the form of a sales tax rebate available to businesses that are able to satisfy the requirements needed to enter into an agreement with the IDDC with respect to specified tourism development projects.

  • HB 1265: Condemnation of Hoosier homestead property.

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

    Establishes the Hoosier homestead program administered by the Indiana state department of agriculture to commemorate and maintain a registry of farms owned by the same family for at least 100 years.

  • HB 1417: Prevention of chronic wasting disease.

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

    Allows the department of natural resources and the state board of animal health to establish a pilot program to combat chronic wasting disease in deer.

  • HB 1422: Free state park admissions for Gold Star families.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of natural resources to provide free admission to state parks to a Gold Star family member.

  • HB 1458: Adoption of research animals.

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

    Requires research facilities to offer for adoption dogs or cats no longer required for research purposes.

  • HB 1489: Indiana-Ireland trade commission.

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

    Establishes the Indiana-Ireland trade commission (commission) to advance bilateral trade and investment between Indiana and Ireland and other related matters.

  • HB 1587: Insurance matters.

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

    Provides that the director of the state personnel department may make a determination to provide coverage under the state employee health plan for emergency medical services as part of a mobile integrated healthcare program.

  • HB 1610: Onsite wastewater industry registry.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, an individual may not engage in onsite sewage system service of a residential onsite sewage system in Indiana unless the individual registers with the board of registration for onsite wastewater professionals (board) as an onsite wastewater professional.

  • HB 1677: Waste disposal.

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

    Provides that depositing or causing or allowing the deposit of contaminants or solid waste upon the land is a Class C misdemeanor in certain circumstances.

  • SB 459: Environmental matters.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the environmental rules board may adopt rules establishing requirements for the reclamation and reuse of treated wastewater.

  • SB 461: Grain indemnity.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "revocation of a license".

  • 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.

  • HB 1326: Indiana emergency efficiency and resilience task force.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the Indiana emergency efficiency and resilience task force (task force).

  • HB 1361: Fertilizer.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Codifies commercial fertilizer administrative rules.

  • HB 1398: Agricultural programs.

    2026 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Creates the pork market development program (pork program) and the soybean market development program (soybean program).

  • HB 1414: Forest management.

    2026 · Authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Requires the department of natural resources (department) to establish recreational fees for the access and use of state forest land.

  • HB 1415: Limits on nuisance actions against racetracks.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a racing facility or racetrack or any of its appurtenances is not and does not become a nuisance, public or private, within the area of the racing facility or racetrack, in an action brought by a person who purchased or improved property within the area of the racing facility or racetrack or its appurtenances after the racing facility or racetrack initially commenced operation as a r

  • HB 1061: Veterinary telehealth.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an initial in-person examination to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship beginning July 1, 2026.

  • HB 1144: Tourism improvement districts.

    2026 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Provides that a person may circulate a petition to create a tourism improvement district (district) within the territory of a county, city, or town (local unit).

  • HB 1160: Naturalization examination.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, requires administration of the naturalization examination provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (exam) in grade 8.

  • HB 1165: Various animal related matters.

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

    Removes partial liability for damages when a person removes a domestic animal from a motor vehicle.

  • HB 1192: Seed laws.

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

    Incorporates various administrative rules into the Indiana seed law.

  • HB 1203: Adoption of research animals.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires research facilities to offer for adoption dogs or cats no longer required for research purposes.

  • HB 1231: Battery recycling.

    2026 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Provides that a retailer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale a covered battery or battery containing product unless: (1) the producer joins a battery stewardship organization; and (2) the battery is approved under a battery stewardship plan.

  • HB 1348: Regulation of grease control equipment.

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

    Establishes a statewide regulatory scheme for grease control equipment.

  • HB 1355: Confined feeding operations.

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

    Creates a preapplication process for the approval of confined feeding operations.

  • SB 277: Indiana department of environmental management.

    2026 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends, repeals, or adds certain terms.

  • SB 55: Agricultural programs.

    2026 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Creates the pork market development program (pork program) and the soybean market development program (soybean program).

  • SB 56: Veterinary licensing.

    2026 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the board of veterinary medicine may issue a license or registration to a qualified applicant without an examination if the qualified applicant: (1) satisfies the requirements for reciprocity of health care professionals; and (2) otherwise meets the requirements to become a licensed veterinarian or a registered veterinary technician.

  • SB 230: Department of agriculture.

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

    Makes various amendments to the role of supervisors on soil and conservation boards.

  • 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 Baird's record came from

Sources for Baird

Kelsey Kauffman

Democratic

Work
Has taught at DePauw University and, through Indiana State University, in three Indiana prisons [19]

Kelsey Kauffman is a Greencastle educator who founded a college program at the Indiana Women's Prison and has taught at DePauw University [16, 19]. Her campaign focuses on public schools, rural health care, property taxes, child care and immigration enforcement [15].

Kauffman's background

  • Holds a Harvard doctorate in education; has taught at DePauw University and, through Indiana State University, in three Indiana prisons; founded and directed the Higher Education Program at the Indiana Women's Prison from 2012 to 2017 [19].
  • Directed legislative education programs at the Statehouse for DePauw students and for formerly incarcerated people [19].
  • Founded the Greencastle Summer Enrichment Program, directed Putnam County CASA in the 1990s and served as president of the Greencastle NAACP [19]. Has lived in Greencastle since 1987 [16].

Kauffman's positions

Property taxes

  • Says that when "families with modest homes pay more while corporations get $2 million breaks, that is not relief" [15].

Education

  • Says she will protect local schools from "Statehouse budget games that put corporate tax breaks ahead of our children" [15].

Health care

  • Wants to keep rural hospitals open and expand mental health services; says "No family should have to drive an hour to see a doctor" [15].
  • Calls health care a basic right but says the system cannot move to Medicare for All overnight and proposes incremental steps on costs [20].

Child care

  • Says Putnam County has fewer than 10 licensed child care options, three of which accept infants [15].

Immigration

  • Says enforcement is a federal responsibility and opposes requiring county sheriffs to act as federal agents without funding or training [15].

Elections & redistricting

  • Opposes the 2025 mid-decade redistricting effort, according to the Banner-Graphic [16].

How Kauffman would run the office

  • Said the General Assembly "may be the most important line of defense available to protect Hoosiers" from harmful federal policies; joined the Indiana Rural Summit Coalition of candidates supporting public education, affordable health care and living wages [16].

Kauffman on the current officeholder

  • The Banner-Graphic reported that she expressed respect for Baird's service and civility and said, "This campaign is not about demonizing individuals" [16].

How Kauffman got on the ballot

  • Announced in January 2026 [16]; the only Democrat listed in the May 5, 2026 primary [14].

What we could not find about Kauffman

  • Little news coverage beyond her January 2026 announcement was found.
  • No statements on energy, data centers or agriculture policy found.
  • No endorsements are listed on her website [11]. No fundraising figures were found.

Kauffman's campaign website

Sources for Kauffman

Key points

  • House District 44 includes all of Putnam County and part of Montgomery County. (Owen County is not part of the district.) (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  • Kauffman was the only Democrat listed in the primary; both are on the November ballot. Baird was re-elected without opposition in 2024. (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. Beau Baird: biography and committees (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  4. Bill authored by Baird to support responsible Hoosier loggers ceremonially signed into law (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  5. Rep. Baird's legislation to encourage more medical professionals to practice in rural communities heads to governor (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  6. Baird's legislation to provide FFA, 4-H students with excused school absences heads to governor (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  7. House Roll Call 433: SB 1 (Local government finance), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  8. House Roll Call 576: HB 1001 (State budget), conference committee report (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  9. House Roll Call 28: HB 1032 (Redistricting), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  10. Governor ceremonially signs bill co-authored by Baird to combat animal cruelty (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  11. Kelsey Kauffman for Indiana House District 44 (campaign website) (Kauffman campaign)
  12. Primary election results (May 2026) (Banner-Graphic (via Sun-Commercial))
  13. Braun mostly echoes Trump's GOP primary picks in redistricting vote fallout (Indiana Capital Chronicle (via IPM/WFIU))
  14. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  15. Issues (Kauffman campaign)
  16. Kelsey Kauffman announces candidacy for Indiana House District 44 (Banner-Graphic (via Sun-Commercial))
  17. State Rep. Beau Baird: Legislation delivering robust property tax relief and reform to Hoosiers signed into law (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  18. Baird: Legislative session ends with new laws to help Hoosiers (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  19. About Kelsey (Kauffman campaign)
  20. News (Kauffman campaign)
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.