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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 73

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 73 covers portions of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties in southeastern Indiana, per the House Republican caucus [3].
  • Meltzer is seeking a third full term; she won 76.9% of the vote in 2024 [10].
  • May 5, 2026 Republican primary: Meltzer 3,675 votes (66.6%), Edward Comstock 1,844 (33.4%) [10]. A.J. Miller was the only Democratic candidate [10].
  • Key differences: Miller's campaign lists labor, infrastructure, education, natural resources, public health and legalizing cannabis as issues [11]; Meltzer's campaign site lists opposition to abortion, support for gun rights, school choice and reducing regulation [12].
  • No debate or forum for this race was found.

Candidates on the ballot

Jennifer Meltzer

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
Attorney representing the city of Shelbyville; previously a deputy attorney general [3]

Jennifer Meltzer is the two-term incumbent, a Shelbyville attorney who represents the city of Shelbyville [3]. She won the Republican primary with 66.6% [10].

Meltzer's background

  • Attorney who represents the city of Shelbyville; previously a deputy attorney general and an Indiana Department of Health employee [3].
  • Psychology degree from Xavier University and law degree from the IU McKinney School of Law [3].
  • Lives in Shelbyville [3].

Meltzer's positions

Public safety

  • Authored the 2023 and 2024 xylazine laws on overdose testing and criminal penalties [5, 6].

Abortion

  • Her campaign site describes her as "Pro-Life" [12].

Gun rights

  • Her campaign site describes her as "Pro 2nd Amendment" [12].

Education

  • Campaign site lists "Empowering parents to choose the best education for their children" [12].

Elections & redistricting

  • Voted no on the December 2025 congressional redistricting bill, HB 1032 [9].

How Meltzer would run the office

  • Campaign site lists "Fighting unnecessary government regulation" [12].

Meltzer on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No statements about her challenger were found [12].

How Meltzer got on the ballot

  • Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary over Edward Comstock, 66.6% to 33.4% [10].

Meltzer's endorsements and funding

  • Endorsed by Gov. Mike Braun, the NFIB Indiana PAC and the NRA Political Victory Fund, per Wikipedia's race listing [10].

What we could not find about Meltzer

  • No public statement explaining her no vote on HB 1032 was found.
  • No 2025–2026 bills she authored were confirmed as enacted.
  • No fundraising totals were found.

Meltzer's record in office

Indiana House record, District 73 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
16
10 became law
Co-authored
30
14 became law
Sponsored
4
2 became law
Co-sponsored
6
6 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Courts and Criminal Code (Vice Chair)
  • Judiciary
  • Local Government
  • Corrections and Criminal Code, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)
  • Courts and the Judiciary, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)
  • Probate Code Study Committee (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 427, No 59, Excused 5
  • 2024: Yes 271, No 33, Excused 1, Not voting 5
  • 2025: Yes 389, No 92, Excused 19, Not voting 10
  • 2026: Yes 214, No 88, Excused 37, Not voting 38
How Meltzer voted on 37 selected bills
The 56 bills Meltzer carried

  • HB 1286: Toxicology screening for xylazine.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, if the coroner reasonably suspects the cause of the person's death to be accidental or intentional overdose of an opioid or if the person was administered an overdose intervention drug prior to death and was unresponsive to the overdose intervention drug, the coroner shall test certain bodily fluids to determine whether the bodily fluid contained any amount, including a trace amount

  • HB 1287: Home detention.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows a court to place a person convicted of certain crimes directly in a community corrections program.

  • HB 1028: Thirteenth check.

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

    Provides for a thirteenth check in 2023 and 2024 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit syst

  • HB 1092: Columbus Learning Center.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Appropriates $5,075,665 from the state general fund to the department of administration for the total operating expense of the Columbus Learning Center lease payment for each year of the budget biennium.

  • HB 1194: Competency to stand trial.

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

    Provides that certain licensed individuals may examine a defendant and testify as to whether the defendant can understand the criminal proceedings and assist in the preparation of the defendant's defense.

  • HB 1536: Interactive gaming.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Authorizes the lottery commission to operate the sale of draw games and digital representations of scratch-off games over the Internet.

  • HB 1617: Possession of pepper spray on campus.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that state educational institutions may not adopt regulations that prohibit students, faculty, employees, and others on the educational institution's property from carrying pepper spray.

  • HB 1620: School board elections.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires candidates for school board offices to be nominated in the same manner as candidates for all other elected offices are nominated.

  • SB 179: Home detention.

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

    Provides that a court may not order a person convicted of a: (1) Level 1 felony; or (2) crime subject to certain enhancements; to a community corrections program.

  • 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 181: Cause of action concerning restraint of trade.

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

    Amends the statute concerning combinations restraining trade as follows: (1) Provides that the attorney general may bring an action for the following on behalf of the state or a political subdivision in connection with a violation of the statute: (A) Appropriate injunctive or other equitable relief, including disgorgement of any gains derived from the violation.

  • SB 20: Alcohol matters.

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

    Allows a city or town to designate an outdoor location as a refreshment area with the approval of the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission).

  • HB 1203: Xylazine.

    2024 · 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 1204: Publication of public notices.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows a political subdivision to publish notice in the print or electronic edition of a newspaper or locality newspaper that issues a print edition not more than three times a week.

  • HB 1205: Mental health standards and reporting.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that the standards for services provided by recovery community organizations for behavioral health recovery, when used as a recovery community organization, be certified through a certain entity and meet other standards established by the division of mental health and addiction.

  • HB 1206: Voting by small water and wastewater utilities.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends as follows the statute setting forth the procedures by which certain small water or wastewater utilities may withdraw from and return to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC): (1) Specifies that a sewage disposal company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the IURC for having been issued more than one enforcement order from the department of environmental m

  • HB 1207: Maximum levy determination.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that Washington Township in Decatur County may increase its maximum township property tax levy for 2025 and thereafter.

  • 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 1003: Administrative law.

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

    Makes the office of administrative law proceedings the ultimate authority in any administrative proceeding under its jurisdiction.

  • 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 1053: Test strips.

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

    Removes provisions related to testing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance in the criminal laws concerning possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

  • HB 1178: Human trafficking awareness training.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an owner or operator of a public lodging establishment (establishment) to: (1) provide human trafficking awareness training for employees; (2) post human trafficking awareness signage; and (3) implement procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking and a human trafficking prevention policy.

  • HB 1223: Penalties for drug dealing.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Makes dealing in certain controlled substances a Level 2 felony if use of the substance results in serious bodily injury.

  • HB 1238: Competency evaluation.

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

    Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish a training program to certify a competency evaluator to assist a court in determining competency.

  • HB 1249: Recovery community organizations.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that the standards for services provided by recovery community organizations for behavioral health recovery, when used as a recovery community organization, be certified through a certain entity and meet other standards established by the division of mental health and addiction.

  • HB 1320: Building regulation.

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

    Defines, for purposes of the unsafe building law, a "building or structure".

  • HB 1338: Security of property and meeting decorum.

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

    Allows the governing bodies of certain local government agencies (local agencies) to adopt rules or policies governing the conduct of meetings.

  • SB 170: Crimes and election workers.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "election worker" and makes it a Level 6 felony under certain circumstances to: (1) threaten an election worker; or (2) to obstruct, interfere with, or injure an election worker.

  • SB 149: Tobacco.

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

    Prohibits a retail establishment from holding more than one active tobacco sales certificate (certificate) for a retail location at any time.

  • SB 190: State disaster relief fund.

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

    Makes changes to the permissible uses for the state disaster relief fund (fund).

  • HB 1167: Exceptions to paraphernalia statutes.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the controlled substance paraphernalia statutes do not apply to items marketed to detect the presence of a drug or controlled substance.

  • HB 1312: Public notices.

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

    Requires the Indiana office of technology (office) to establish a state public notice website not later than July 1, 2026.

  • HB 1465: Office of administrative law proceedings.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Makes technical corrections and conforming amendments required by HEA 1003-2024 concerning the office of administrative law proceedings.

  • HB 1466: Various agency administrative procedures.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the department of natural resources is subject to the jurisdiction of the office of administrative law proceedings.

  • HB 1641: County government matters.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows an executive session to be held to communicate with an attorney, subject to the attorney client privilege.

  • HB 1049: Public service attorney scholarships.

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

    Establishes the: (1) county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship program (program); and (2) county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship fund (fund).

  • HB 1066: Public work projects.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a board of aviation commissioners and an airport authority are subject to the same procedures as a school corporation for certain public work projects.

  • HB 1403: Juvenile justice matters.

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

    Amends the duties of the statewide juvenile justice oversight body established by the commission on improving the status of children in Indiana (oversight body).

  • HB 1441: Bank accounts for foster and emancipated youths.

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

    Provides that a foster youth or emancipated youth is legally competent to enter into a contract with a depository financial institution to open a savings or checking account in the youth's name with the consent of a juvenile court with jurisdiction over the youth.

  • HB 1477: Mobile home communities and manufactured homes.

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

    Provides that, for purposes of the Indiana department of health's enforcement of statutes governing mobile home communities, if the owner of a mobile home community is provided written notice from a water utility that the mobile home community will be disconnected from water service, the mobile home community is in violation of the mobile home community's statutory obligation to provide water as o

  • SB 312: Exceptions to paraphernalia statutes.

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

    Provides that the controlled substance paraphernalia statutes do not apply to items marketed to detect the presence of a drug or controlled substance.

  • SB 524: The practice of law.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows an Indiana resident of a contiguous county to be appointed the head of the department of law.

  • HB 1055: Municipal elections.

    2026 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate

    Moves, as a general rule, elections of town officers to even-numbered years.

  • HB 1056: Resisting law enforcement conflict resolution.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Resolves a conflict between HEA 1014-2025 and HEA 1637-2025.

  • HB 1311: Obtaining copies of recorded documents.

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

    Prohibits a person from using the person's own equipment to copy a recorded document.

  • HB 1364: Food labeling requirements.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a food manufacturer that offers certain food products for sale in Indiana to ensure that each food product includes a warning label disclosing specified ingredients in the food product.

  • HB 1035: Permissible unsupervised activity.

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

    Defines "independent activity".

  • HB 1058: Annexation.

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

    Provides that annexation territory that is divided by railroad tracks satisfies contiguity requirements, if the territory on at least one side of the railroad tracks is contiguous to the municipality.

  • HB 1116: Virtual currency kiosks.

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

    Prohibits the operation of virtual currency kiosks in Indiana.

  • HB 1161: Local government matters.

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

    Provides that individuals who are appointed to certain boards, committees, or other bodies in a county that does not have a consolidated city, serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority as long as: (1) the officeholder who appointed the individual continues to hold the office; or (2) the board, committee, or body that appointed the individual retains all of the same members who served when

  • HB 1163: Prosecuting attorneys retirement fund COLA.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides for an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for participants of the prosecuting attorneys retirement fund based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.

  • HB 1205: Annexation.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a municipality that initiates an annexation to file an annexation petition (petition) with a court signed by: (1) at least 51% of the owners of non-tax exempt land in the annexation territory; or (2) the owners of at least 75% in assessed valuation of non-tax exempt land in the annexation territory.

  • HB 1283: Public notices.

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

    Requires the Indiana office of technology (office) to establish a state public notice website not later than July 1, 2028.

  • HB 1303: Sex crimes and child safety.

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

    Specifies the sex offender reporting requirements for persons who are sex offenders or required to register in other jurisdictions.

  • SB 139: Jury duty exemption for women breastfeeding.

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

    Exempts a woman who is breastfeeding from jury duty.

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 Meltzer's record came from

Meltzer's campaign website

Sources for Meltzer

Allen J. (A.J.) Miller

Democratic

Work
Technical writer producing repair documentation [13]

A.J. Miller is a technical writer from Greensburg making his first run for office [13]. He was the only Democrat in the May primary [10].

Miller's background

  • Works as a technical writer producing repair documentation, and says this is his first run for office [13].
  • Grew up on a small farm outside Pendleton; lives in Greensburg [13].
  • Lists membership in the Indiana Rural Summit [14].

Miller's positions

Economy & jobs

  • Says "Everyday Hoosiers continue to struggle while those in power benefit from our struggle" and that he would work to even the playing field [11].

Infrastructure

  • Calls for repairing existing infrastructure first and then pursuing long-term preventative solutions, with technology as part of that work [11].

Education

  • Supports better educational opportunities, more support for teachers and more support for the trades [11].

Environment

  • Says natural resources should be prioritized and protected from excessive industrial development [11].

Health care

  • Says he would pursue policies aimed at a healthier Indiana [11]. Supports legalizing and regulating cannabis, citing economic growth and health benefits [11].

How Miller would run the office

  • Says he wants to bring "Better Outcomes for the State of Indiana" [13].

Miller on the current officeholder

  • Says he started the campaign "as a way to take a principled stand that no incumbent should run unopposed" [14]. His campaign site does not mention Meltzer by name; he says lawmakers have ignored public testimony [13].

How Miller got on the ballot

  • Was the only Democratic candidate in the May 5, 2026 primary [10].

What we could not find about Miller

  • No news coverage of his campaign was found; local coverage (The Republic and Shelby County outlets) could not be reviewed for this profile.
  • No fundraising totals were found.
  • His campaign site does not give detailed stances on property taxes or the state budget.
  • No endorsements are listed on his campaign site [14].

Miller's campaign website

Sources for Miller

  • About (A.J. Miller campaign)

Key points

  • House District 73 covers portions of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties in southeastern Indiana, per the House Republican caucus. (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  • Key differences: Miller's campaign lists labor, infrastructure, education, natural resources, public health and legalizing cannabis as issues; Meltzer's campaign site lists opposition to abortion, support for gun rights, school choice and reducing regulation. (A.J. Miller campaign)

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer: biography and committees (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  4. Rep. Meltzer's first bill signed into law will help track dangerous street drug (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  5. Meltzer's bill targeting illicit use of animal tranquilizer signed into law (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  6. House Roll Call 28: HB 1032 (Redistricting), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  7. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  8. Issues (A.J. Miller campaign)
  9. Meltzer for Indiana (Jennifer Meltzer campaign)
  10. About (A.J. Miller campaign)
  11. Allen Miller for Indiana House District 73 (A.J. Miller 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.