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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 55

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 55 includes all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties and parts of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties in southeastern Indiana [3].
  • The race is a rematch of 2024, when Patterson defeated Martz with 80.5% of the vote (24,820 to 6,016) [13].
  • Patterson and Martz were each the only candidate listed in their party's May 5, 2026 primary [14]; both are on the November ballot [2].
  • Key differences: Martz proposes phasing out the private-school voucher program, a full ban on hyperscale data centers, a $20 minimum wage phased in over five years, and legalizing cannabis [15]. Patterson voted for the 2025 property-tax law, the 2025 budget and the 2025 redistricting bill [7, 8, 9]; no 2026 campaign platform from Patterson was found.
  • No debate or forum for this race was found.

Candidates on the ballot

Victoria C. Martz

Democratic

Work
Criminal defense attorney [17]

Victoria Martz is a Batesville criminal defense attorney and chair of the Ripley County Democrats, running against Patterson for the second time [17, 15]. Her platform centers on opposing data centers, raising wages, public-school funding and health care [15].

Martz's background

  • Criminal defense attorney; Batesville High School graduate with a 2015 bachelor's degree from Purdue and a 2018 law degree from Indiana University [17]. Her campaign says she passed the bar in 2019 and grew up between Milan and Batesville [15].
  • Elected chair of the Ripley County Democrats in September 2025 [17].
  • Lives in Batesville [15].

Martz's positions

Data centers

  • Says she will support legislation for "an immediate full ban on hyperscale data center development," arguing tax exemptions for data centers have cost taxpayers $655 million [15].

Education

  • Would introduce legislation to phase out the voucher program and redirect the money to public schools, with 75% going to at-risk schools and 25% to pilot alternative teaching methods [15].

Economy & jobs

  • Proposes raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour over five years, with subsidies to help small businesses offset the cost [15].
  • Proposes a paid family leave insurance program covering 8 weeks per qualifying event, funded by a payroll deduction of about $2 a week [15].

Health care

  • Says she will vote against Medicaid eligibility cuts, support efforts to cap hospital prices, require disclosure of hospital ownership and acquisitions, and expand maternal care in rural areas [15].

Property taxes

  • Would bar reassessment of homes of people on retirement or disability income unless sold or inherited (for homes worth more than $450,000), and would look at lower rates for elderly, disabled, low- and middle-income owners and farmers, without cutting funding for public services [15].

Energy & utilities

  • Supports requiring Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approval for the sale of a major utility, and says she would support eliminating the 7% sales tax on utility bills if rates remain unchanged [15].

Child care

  • Says she supports universal child care as a long-term goal and would increase CCDF subsidies, raise the income threshold and fund grants for rural child care deserts [15].

Cannabis

  • Supports legalizing cannabis and using the tax revenue for public services [15].

Environment

  • Proposes a statewide task force on water contamination, PFAS standards, and protecting Natural Resources Commission funding [15].

How Martz would run the office

  • Says she would "work across the aisle" on capping hospital prices [15].

How Martz got on the ballot

  • Filed in January 2026 for the May 5 Democratic primary [17]; listed as the only Democratic candidate [14].
  • Was the 2024 Democratic nominee, receiving 19.5% of the vote [13].

Martz's endorsements and funding

  • Her campaign lists Run for Something, UFCW Local 700, and the Indiana Coalition for Public Education #VotePublicEd pledge; it also lists signing the U.S. Term Limits pledge and an 'A' grade from MAD Voters [15].

What we could not find about Martz

  • No news coverage of her 2026 campaign beyond her January announcement was found.
  • No fundraising data found.
  • No statements by Martz specifically about Patterson or her record were found. Her campaign says "Families are losing healthcare. Kids are going hungry. Public schools and libraries are facing cuts" [15].

Martz's campaign website

Sources for Martz

Lindsay Patterson

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
Dental hygienist in Greendale [3]

Lindsay Patterson is the Republican incumbent, first elected in 2022 [3]. Her bills have dealt with rural road safety and health-profession licensing [6, 11].

Patterson's background

  • Dental hygienist in Greendale; born and raised in Brookville and lives on her family's farm in Franklin County [3].
  • Associate degree in dental hygiene from the University of Cincinnati and a business degree from Indiana University [3].

Patterson's positions

Health care

  • Said of SEA 180 and SEA 262 (2026): "Improving access to care and reducing barriers for both providers and first responders is critical to keeping our communities safe and healthy" [11].

Roads & infrastructure

  • Said making sure communities have resources to improve low water crossings "will help protect drivers and enhance infrastructure safety" [6].

Property taxes

  • Voted for SEA 1 (2025) [7]. After the 2026 session, highlighted HEA 1210's expanded property-tax relief for veterans among the session's new laws [16].

Elections & redistricting

  • Voted for HB 1032, the 2025 congressional redistricting bill [9]; no public statement from her on it was found.

How Patterson would run the office

  • After the 2026 session, said new laws were "designed to lower costs for families, improve quality of life and ensure Indiana remains competitive and strong" [16].
  • Said of her 2026 interim committee work that she is "eager to work through these interim committees to evaluate priorities, strengthen long-term planning and ensure responsible stewardship of our resources" [4].

Patterson on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No statements by Patterson about Martz were found.

How Patterson got on the ballot

  • Listed as the only Republican candidate in the May 5, 2026 primary [14].

What we could not find about Patterson

  • No 2026 campaign website, candidate survey or campaign statements were found.
  • Final outcome of HB 1507 (2025) in the Senate not confirmed.
  • No public statement found on data centers, school vouchers or the redistricting vote.
  • No fundraising data found.
  • No endorsements or fundraising figures were found.

Patterson's record in office

Indiana House record, District 55 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
8
0 became law
Co-authored
23
7 became law
Co-sponsored
4
4 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Environmental Affairs
  • Family, Children and Human Affairs
  • Roads and Transportation
  • Environmental Affairs, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)
  • Roads and Transportation, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 404, No 55, Excused 31, Not voting 1
  • 2024: Yes 277, No 25, Excused 8
  • 2025: Yes 397, No 78, Excused 34, Not voting 1
  • 2026: Yes 278, No 84, Excused 3, Not voting 12
How Patterson voted on 37 selected bills
The 35 bills Patterson carried

  • HB 1497: Low water crossings.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "low water crossing" as a place where a road crosses a stream having a water level that is normally well below the level of the road but may in times of heavy rain rise above the level of the road to a depth that is difficult for the driver of an oncoming automobile to judge, creating the risk that the driver will attempt to cross at the crossing and the driver's automobile will become buo

  • HB 1008: Pension investments.

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

    Specifies certain entities, actions taken, or factors considered to which the ESG commitment provisions do not apply.

  • HB 1127: Exemption from COVID-19 immunization requirements.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that an employer may not require an employee to submit to testing for the presence of COVID-19 unless the employee had a known high risk exposure to COVID-19 or has active symptoms of COVID-19.

  • HB 1164: Removal of immunization requirements.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the department of child services may not require an individual to undergo an immunization as a condition of issuing the individual a foster family home license, or renewing the individual's foster family home license, if the individual provides: (1) written notice that the individual objects to the immunization on religious grounds; or (2) written certification from a physician that

  • HB 1407: Parental rights.

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

    Provides that the state of Indiana, a political subdivision or other governmental entity of the state of Indiana, a government official, or any other person acting under the color of law shall not infringe on the fundamental right of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of the parent's child without demonstrating that the infringement: (1) is required by a c

  • 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

  • HB 1429: Low water crossings.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "low water crossing" as a place where a road crosses a stream having a water level that is normally well below the level of the road but may in times of heavy rain rise above the level of the road to a depth that is difficult for the driver of an oncoming automobile to judge, creating the risk that the driver will attempt to cross at the crossing and the driver's automobile will become buo

  • 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 1214: Dental matters.

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

    Establishes the dentist and dental hygienist compact (compact).

  • HB 1317: State payments in lieu of property taxes.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the state to make payments in lieu of property taxes (PILOTs) for qualified parcels in qualified counties in which the lesser of 19%, or 5,000 acres, of all land in the qualified county is: (1) owned or leased by the state or the federal government; and (2) subject to an exemption from property taxes.

  • SB 171: Reunification plan for a child in need of services.

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

    Amends the circumstances under which reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or preserve a child's family are not required.

  • SB 2: Child care.

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

    Requires the Indiana economic development corporation to annually report to the general assembly regarding funds dedicated to supporting child care under specified state and federal programs.

  • HB 1505: Use of SNAP benefits.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from purchasing: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) carbonated beverages; (4) candy; (5) snack chips; and (6) cookies; with SNAP benefits.

  • HB 1506: Natural resource entrance fees.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows counties to adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more than $2 in addition to the fees charged by the department of natural resources (department) for entry into state parks and recreation areas.

  • HB 1507: Low water crossings.

    2025 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate

    Authorizes a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects.

  • HB 1508: Middle school health curriculum.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that each school corporation must include instruction on fetal development as a part of the health education curriculum for students enrolled in grades 6 through 8.

  • HB 1141: Mental health and substance abuse coverage.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of insurance (department) to implement and enforce applicable provisions of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 (act).

  • HB 1334: Unborn children.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Modifies the definition of "human being" in the criminal code to include an unborn child.

  • HB 1335: Weather control.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits a person who has the intent of affecting the intensity of sunlight, temperature, or weather from discharging a chemical or apparatus into the atmosphere, except in certain circumstances.

  • HB 1336: Health care matters.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a hospital to inform a woman in premature labor of the hospital's capabilities of treating the born alive infant and managing a high risk pregnancy and, if the hospital's capabilities interfere with the woman's care, the hospital must provide this information before the woman is admitted to the hospital.

  • HB 1337: Time observance in Indiana.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Exempts Indiana from daylight saving time.

  • HB 1380: Supplemental fee for electric vehicles.

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

    Provides that the supplemental fee to register an electric vehicle does not apply to a motor driven cycle.

  • HB 1486: Use of SNAP benefits.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from using SNAP benefits to purchase accessory foods, including: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) soft drinks; (4) corn or potato chips; and (5) prepared desserts, including cookies, candy, ice cream, cakes, and pies.

  • HB 1151: Time observance in Indiana.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Exempts Indiana from daylight saving time.

  • HB 1392: Involuntary substance use disorder treatment.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows an individual's spouse, legal guardian, friend, or relative to petition a court for involuntary substance use disorder treatment.

  • HB 1131: Licensed estheticians and electrologists.

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

    Amends the definition of "esthetician" to include certain services.

  • HB 1177: Child care assistance.

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

    Increases the maximum number of individuals an entity may employ to be eligible for the employer child care expenditure income tax credit.

  • HB 1204: Natural resource entrance fees.

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

    Allows counties that meet certain criteria to adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more than $1 in addition to the fees charged by the department of natural resources (department) for entry into certain state parks and recreation areas.

  • HB 1254: Various dental matters; respiratory care.

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

    Amends the educational requirements for dental hygienists.

  • HB 1255: Presumption of continuation of life.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes a presumption that the continuation of life is in a minor's best interests.

  • HB 1295: Hospital disclosures and requirements.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a hospital to: (1) inform a woman in premature labor of the hospital's capabilities of treating the born alive infant and managing a high risk pregnancy; and (2) if the hospital's capabilities interfere with the woman's care, provide this information before the woman is admitted to the hospital.

  • HB 1318: Physical examinations in CHINS investigations.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that if the department of child services (department) receives a report of known or suspected abuse of a child who is less than five years of age, a department caseworker: (1) shall physically examine the child's head, face, arms, legs, chest, and back for bruises or contusions; and (2) if the caseworker finds evidence of abuse, shall: (A) immediately take the child into custody; (B) caus

  • SB 180: Various health care matters.

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

    Eliminates a requirement that home health aide competency evaluation program training include at least 75 hours of training and 16 hours of classroom training before supervised practical training.

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 Patterson's record came from

Sources for Patterson

Key points

  • House District 55 includes all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties and parts of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties in southeastern Indiana. (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  • Patterson and Martz were each the only candidate listed in their party's May 5, 2026 primary; 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. Lindsay Patterson: biography and committees (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  4. Reps. Criswell, Patterson receive 2026 summer study committee appointments (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  5. House advances Patterson's bill to improve safety at low water crossings (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  6. House Roll Call 433: SB 1 (Local government finance), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  7. House Roll Call 576: HB 1001 (State budget), conference committee report (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  8. House Roll Call 28: HB 1032 (Redistricting), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  9. Governor ceremonially signs bills co-authored and sponsored by Patterson to improve health care access, support first responders (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  10. 2024 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  11. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  12. Victoria Martz for Indiana House District 55 (home, about, platform and endorsements pages) (Victoria Martz campaign)
  13. Patterson: Legislative session ends with new laws to help Hoosiers (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  14. Victoria Martz Announces Candidacy for State Rep. in District 55 (Eagle Country 99.3)
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.