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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 79

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 79 covers all of Adams County and portions of Jay and Wells counties in northeast Indiana [3].
  • Lehman was reelected without opposition in 2024 [13]. Both Lehman and Ian G. Richardson were unopposed for their parties' nominations in the May 5, 2026 primary [13].
  • No debates, forums or local news coverage of the race were found.
  • Key differences: Richardson's campaign emphasizes raising the minimum wage, medical and medication costs, legalizing and taxing cannabis, and local energy microgrids [14, 15]; Lehman's 2026 legislative work focused on public records, energy regulation and commercial driver licensing [11, 12].

Candidates on the ballot

Matthew S. Lehman

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
Insurance agent and president of Bixler Insurance, a Berne-based independent agency [3]

Matt Lehman has represented District 79 since 2008 and is House Majority Floor Leader [3]. He broke with most House Republicans to vote against the 2025 congressional redistricting bill [8].

Lehman's background

  • Insurance agent and president of Bixler Insurance Inc., a Berne-based independent agency; Certified Insurance Counselor since 1995; associate degree in aviation technology from Vincennes University [3].
  • Served on the Adams County Council from 1994 to 2008; named Berne Citizen of the Year in 2013 [3]. Lives in Berne [3].

Lehman's positions

Elections & redistricting

  • Said he voted no on the 2025 redistricting bill after constituents told him it was not the right time; said he had supported the existing maps three years earlier [9].

Energy & utilities

  • "Reliable, affordable energy is critical to Indiana's economic growth"; says SEA 258 reduces "unnecessary red tape" for energy development [11].

Government transparency

  • Says agencies "should not be burdened by bad-faith or automated requests" and that HEA 1360 "puts reasonable guardrails into place to protect access" [11].

Public safety

  • On HEA 1200: "Hoosiers deserve safe highways" [12].

Health care

  • Named health care access and cost, along with economic development, as areas to examine in 2025 [4].

How Lehman would run the office

  • Says committee work is "the starting point in tackling issues that constituents are facing" [4].

Lehman on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No statements about Richardson were found.

How Lehman got on the ballot

  • Unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary [13].

What we could not find about Lehman

  • No campaign website found.
  • No 2026 campaign statements or local news coverage of his reelection bid found.
  • Campaign finance totals not found.
  • No 2026 endorsements or campaign finance totals were found.

Lehman's record in office

Indiana House record, District 79 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
20
13 became law
Co-authored
34
19 became law
Sponsored
16
11 became law
Co-sponsored
15
11 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Legislative Council, Audit and Financial Reporting Subcommittee (House Chair)
  • Artificial Intelligence Task Force (House Co-Chair)
  • Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development
  • Insurance
  • Public Policy
  • Commerce and Economic Development, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)
  • Legislative Council (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 418, No 54, Excused 17, Not voting 2
  • 2024: Yes 273, No 24, Excused 12, Not voting 1
  • 2025: Yes 399, No 69, Excused 29, Not voting 13
  • 2026: Yes 270, No 97, Excused 5, Not voting 5
How Lehman voted on 37 selected bills
The 85 bills Lehman carried

  • HB 1040: Requirements for elected officials.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that if an examination of an audited entity is unable to be performed because the audited entity's accounts, records, files, or reports are not properly maintained or reconciled, the entity may be declared unauditable.

  • HB 1041: State board of accounts.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the state board of accounts (SBOA) is designated as the independent external auditor of audited entities and is subject to applicable professional accounting standards.

  • HB 1124: Civil proceeding advance payment contracts.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the law concerning civil proceeding advance payment (CPAP) transactions to provide that in a civil proceeding in which a consumer claimant has entered into a CPAP contract, the consumer claimant or the consumer claimant's attorney is required to provide to: (1) each of the other parties in the civil proceeding; and (2) each insurer that has a duty to defend another party in the civil procee

  • HB 1125: Delivery network companies.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the law regarding transportation network companies (TNC) to provide that, after June 30, 2024, the primary motor vehicle liability insurance coverage requirement while a TNC driver is logged on to the TNC's digital network, but is not engaged in a prearranged ride, is at least $50,000 per incident for property damage.

  • HB 1298: Worker's compensation.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a contract, bid specification, or agreement that is entered into, issued, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2023, may not contain a provision requiring an employer to have or maintain a specified experience rating.

  • HB 1329: Insurance matters.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that if an insurance producer actively participates in a state or national professional insurance organization, the insurance commissioner may apply the insurance producer's participation toward the satisfaction of not more than two hours of the insurance producer's continuing education requirement in every two year licensing period.

  • HB 1003: Health matters.

    2023 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate

    Allows a credit against the state tax liability of an employer with fewer than 50 employees if the employer has adopted a health reimbursement arrangement in lieu of a traditional employer provided health insurance plan and if the employer's contribution toward the health reimbursement arrangement meets a certain standard.

  • HB 1004: Health care matters.

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

    Establishes the health care cost oversight task force and sets forth duties of the task force.

  • 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 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 1050: Various motor vehicle matters.

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

    Adds an exception to the disposition of surplus personal property by a governmental body.

  • HB 1177: Firearms training for teachers.

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

    Authorizes funds from the: (1) Indiana secured school fund; and (2) school corporation and charter school safety advance program; to be used for the purpose of providing specialized firearms instruction to certain teachers, school staff, and school employees, and for providing counseling services to students, teachers, school staff, and school employees in the event of a school shooting.

  • HB 1256: Archives and record administration.

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

    Amends related definitions.

  • HB 1279: Third party food delivery services.

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

    Establishes in the Indiana Code article concerning regulated businesses a new chapter governing third party food delivery services.

  • HB 1445: Audit of Medicaid program prescription drug costs.

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

    Amends the requirements for a physician to provide office based opioid treatment.

  • HB 1495: Medicare product solicitations.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a Medicare product solicitation may not be made by means of a telephone call to an individual whose principal residence is in Indiana, regardless of where the telephone call originates.

  • HB 1509: Appropriation for aviation education.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Appropriates $600,000 to the department of transportation (department) for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025, to be used by the department to: (1) address the significant nationwide pilot shortage; (2) provide opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); (3) provide funding to finish the interior of a new building at Indy Sout

  • SB 20: Alcohol matters.

    2023 · 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).

  • SB 318: Audit of Medicaid program prescription drug costs.

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

    Provides that the office of the attorney general, or an independent auditor with experience auditing expenses related to prescription drugs that is hired through a request for proposal process by the attorney general, shall conduct an audit concerning prescription drug costs for the Medicaid program.

  • SB 5: Consumer data protection.

    2023 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes a new article in the Indiana Code concerning consumer data protection, to take effect January 1, 2026.

  • SB 6: Health care billing forms.

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

    Provides that a bill for health care services provided by a provider in an office setting must be submitted on an individual provider form.

  • SJR 18: Service on interbranch commissions.

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

    Adds a new section to the Constitution of the State of Indiana specifying that a Senator or Representative may serve on a commission, board, committee, or similar entity organized to govern, advise, or provide oversight to an agency of the administrative or executive departments of the state.

  • 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 176: Small modular nuclear reactors.

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

    Changes the rated electric generating capacity from 350 megawatts to 470 megawatts for purposes of the definition of "small modular nuclear reactor" as used in the statutes concerning: (1) certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the Indiana utility regulatory commission for the construction, lease, or purchase of electric generation facilities; and (2) financial incentives for e

  • SB 274: Tax exempt property.

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

    Provides that a building is exempt from property taxation if it is owned by a nonprofit entity and is: (1) registered as a continuing care retirement community; or (2) licensed as a health care facility.

  • SB 3: State and local tax review task force.

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

    Establishes the state and local tax review task force (task force).

  • SB 344: Northeast Indiana strategic development commission.

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

    Establishes the northeast Indiana strategic development fund (fund) administered by the northeast Indiana strategic development commission (commission).

  • HB 1158: County contracts.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that for counties other than Marion County, contracts entered into by the county (including contracts executed by county elected officers) must meet certain requirements.

  • HB 1159: Worker's compensation.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a bid specification that is entered into, issued, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2024, may not contain a provision requiring an employer to have or maintain a specified experience rating.

  • HB 1160: Civil proceeding advance payment contracts and commercial litigation financing.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Prevents a CPAP provider from making any decision, having any influence, or directing the consumer claimant or the consumer claimant's attorney with respect to the conduct of the underlying civil proceeding.

  • HB 1274: Indiana semiquincentennial license plate.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides for a semiquincentennial license plate.

  • 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 1062: Work exceptions for minors.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "exempted minor" for purposes of the law concerning employment of minors.

  • HB 1093: Employment of minors.

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

    Provides certain exemptions from the employment of minors law.

  • HB 1200: State employee health plan payment limits.

    2024 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Limits the amount that a state employee health plan may pay for a medical facility service provided to a covered individual to: (1) the lesser of the amount of compensation established by the network plan or 200% of the amount paid by the Medicare program for that type of medical facility service or for a medical facility service of a similar type, if the medical facility service is provided by an

  • HB 1219: Various education matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the mastery based education pilot program (pilot program) to allow school corporations and charter schools selected by the department of education (department) to implement a mastery based education program.

  • HB 1332: Insurance matters.

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

    Establishes the insurance producer education and continuing education commission with appointments to the commission by the commissioner of the department of insurance (department).

  • HB 1359: Probate.

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

    Extends insurance coverage on property transferred by a transfer on death transfer following the death of the insured after June 30, 2025, for property and casualty insurance and liability insurance other than title insurance and certain insurance relating to bonds and mortgages.

  • HB 1405: Restaurant carryout sales.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Exempts a specialty or gourmet market issued a beer and wine retailer's permit in September 2019 from the gross retail income requirements to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout.

  • SB 150: Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Creates the artificial intelligence task force (task force) to study and assess use of artificial intelligence technology by state agencies.

  • SB 188: Actions on deposit accounts.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that an action upon a deposit account must be commenced not later than two years (instead of six years under current law) after the cause of action accrues, regardless of whether the action is brought by a depositor or a depository institution..

  • SB 20: Municipal riverfront development district permits.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Specifies that the alcohol and tobacco commission may issue restaurant permits for a municipal riverfront development district established by a town.

  • SB 221: State board of accounts.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Limits the authority of the director of the special investigations department to investigations involving public monies that are the subject of financial examinations undertaken by the state board.

  • SB 225: Exchange of insurance information after accident.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a law enforcement officer present at the scene of an accident shall ensure that each operator complies with the duties required of an operator of a motor vehicle after an accident regardless of the apparent extent of the total property damage resulting from the accident.

  • SB 234: Disaster emergency.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a state of disaster emergency declared by the governor: (1) that applies to the entire state may not continue for more than 60 days unless a renewal is authorized by the general assembly; and (2) that only applies to part of the state may not continue for more than 30 days unless renewed by the governor.

  • SB 183: County option property tax exemption.

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

    Provides that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to exempt mobile homes and manufactured homes located in the county from property taxation (exemption ordinance).

  • SB 264: Religious exemption from worker's compensation.

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

    Provides an exemption from worker's compensation and occupational diseases coverage for a member of certain religious sects or a division of a religious sect who meets certain requirements and obtains a certificate of exemption (certificate) from the worker's compensation board (board).

  • SB 273: Biomarker testing coverage.

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

    Requires a health plan (which includes a policy of accident and sickness insurance, a health maintenance organization contract, the Medicaid risk based managed care program, and a state employee health plan) to provide coverage for biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of an enrollee's disease or condition when biomarker testing i

  • SB 58: Restaurant carryout sales.

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

    Exempts a specialty or gourmet market holding a retailer's permit with carryout privileges that was initially issued in September 2019 from the gross retail income requirements to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout.

  • SJR 19: Service on interbranch commissions.

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

    Adds a new section to the Constitution of the State of Indiana specifying that a Senator or Representative may serve on a commission, board, committee, or similar entity organized to govern, advise, or provide oversight to an agency of the administrative or executive departments of the state.

  • HB 1108: Towing service rates.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a tow truck operator to provide an owner of a vehicle, if the owner is present at the time of a tow, with a rate sheet listing the cost and charging rate for each service.

  • HB 1109: Use of aerial photography.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an insurer that provides property insurance coverage to a named insured to take certain actions when the insurer uses aerial images to aid in its determination to not renew property insurance coverage for a named insured.

  • HB 1213: Insurance and transfer on death deeds.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Removes language regarding coverage under a casualty insurance policy or liability insurance policy on property transferred by a transfer on death deed.

  • HB 1214: Worker's compensation.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, after June 30, 2025, a party may not prohibit an employer from bidding on a contract solely on the basis of the employer's experience rating.

  • HB 1424: Causes of action.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Limits a civil cause of action concerning a public nuisance.

  • HB 1003: Health matters.

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

    Specifies that the Medicaid fraud control unit's (MFCU) investigation of Medicaid fraud may include the investigation of provider fraud, insurer fraud, duplicate billing, and other instances of fraud.

  • 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 1125: Earned wage access services.

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

    Provides that under certain circumstances, a lender may contract for and receive a nonrefundable prepaid finance charge of 3% (instead of 2%, under current law) of the loan amount on a loan that is secured by an interest in land and is not made under a revolving loan account.

  • HB 1126: Watershed development commissions.

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

    Alters the membership of a watershed development commission board that includes the Maumee River basin (Maumee watershed development commission).

  • HB 1208: Administration of sheriff's commissary fund.

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

    Requires the state board of accounts to establish annual or biennial training requirements for a sheriff and the sheriff's designee responsible for the oversight or administration of a jail commissary fund (fund).

  • HB 1224: Driving privilege cards.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that an individual who is an Indiana resident and cannot provide proof of identity and lawful status in the United States may apply for a driving privilege card to obtain driving privileges.

  • HB 1252: Limitation on cost sharing.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an insurer, an administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager to apply the annual limitation on cost sharing set forth in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under 42 U.S.C.

  • HB 1408: Regional innovation development.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a regional development authority (RDA) (rather than the Indiana economic development corporation) may designate territory within a county, city, or town as a regional innovation development and manufacturing district (district).

  • HB 1473: Pocket annexations.

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

    Allows a municipality to annex unincorporated property that becomes completely surrounded by the municipality after June 30, 2025.

  • HB 1493: Regulation of towing services.

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

    Requires a local law enforcement agency to establish a written policy or enter into a contract for a towing rotation for emergency towing.

  • SB 309: Substitute system of worker's compensation.

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

    Provides that an employer who is a member in good standing with the Small Business Aid, Inc., and provides a substitute system of worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation as established by the Small Business Aid, Inc., is not required to seek the approval of the worker's compensation board in order to provide the substitute system of compensation in lieu of compensatio

  • SB 472: Cybersecurity.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires political subdivisions, state agencies, school corporations, and state educational institutions (public entities), with the exception of specified categories of hospitals and the Indianapolis department of public utilities (department), to adopt not later than December 31, 2027, a: (1) technology resources policy; and (2) cybersecurity policy; that meet specified requirements.

  • SB 5: State fiscal and contracting matters.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows a state agency to use artificial intelligence software to prepare information and projections for the state budget.

  • SB 424: Small modular nuclear reactor development costs.

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

    Amends as follows the Indiana Code section concerning certificates of public convenience and necessity (certificates) for small modular nuclear reactors: (1) Authorizes a public utility to petition the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for approval to incur, before obtaining a certificate, project development costs for the development of one or more small modular nuclear reactors.

  • SB 451: Income tax rate.

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

    Provides for a decrease in the individual adjusted gross income tax rate beginning in 2030 depending on certain conditions being met.

  • SB 452: Tax incentive review.

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

    Amends provisions that apply to the legislative services agency's periodic tax incentives review and analysis.

  • HB 1260: Various insurance matters.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires a person or entity to furnish information relating to a fraudulent insurance act to the department of insurance or the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

  • HB 1261: Use of aerial photography.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an insurer that provides property insurance coverage to a named insured to take certain actions when the insurer uses aerial images to aid in its determination to not renew property insurance coverage for a named insured.

  • HB 1267: State board of accounts.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the state board of accounts is subject to applicable professional auditing standards.

  • HB 1360: Access to public records.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows a public agency to establish and maintain an electronic portal for submission of public records requests that: (1) incorporates CAPTCHA or an equivalent mechanism for ensuring that a requestor is a human; (2) requires verification of a requestor's physical address; (3) indicates to the public agency whether the requestor is a resident of Indiana; and (4) automatically tracks and reports sub

  • HB 1417: Causes of action and damages.

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

    Establishes a tort reform commission.

  • HB 1064: Unmanned aerial vehicles.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Makes repeated operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over private real property a nuisance, with both civil and criminal penalties, including an increased penalty for nuisances involving agricultural property.

  • HB 1101: Regional economic development.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to designate 15 economic development regions throughout Indiana.

  • HB 1424: Farm and homestead food sales.

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

    Allows the executive board of the Indiana department of health to adopt rules concerning time temperature control for food safety, but provides that the rules may not be applied to a homestead vendor or small farm vendor.

  • SB 211: Cancellation of caucus meeting.

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

    Allows a person who wishes to be a candidate for a pro tempore appointment to certain local offices or school board offices to file a declaration of candidacy with the chair of the caucus or the circuit court clerk.

  • SB 226: Indiana department of administration.

    2026 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows the Indiana department of administration (department) to implement category management for purchasing and contracting by state agencies.

  • SB 258: Nuclear facility permits.

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

    Makes the following changes to the Indiana Code chapter concerning the issuance of permits for nuclear powered generating facilities and nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (facilities) by the department of environmental management (department): (1) Repeals a provision that prohibits a person from constructing or operating, or increasing the capacity of, a facility without a permit from the departmen

  • 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 Lehman's record came from

Sources for Lehman

Ian G. Richardson

Democratic

Work
Owner-operator of Ian Richardson Co.; has worked as a pharmacy technician for CVS [16]

Ian G. Richardson is a Bluffton resident who has worked in food service and as a CVS pharmacy technician [16]. His campaign focuses on wages, medical costs and local energy projects [14].

Richardson's background

  • Says he has more than 25 years in service work, 20 of them in food service, and has worked as a pharmacy technician for CVS [16].
  • Lists himself as owner/operator of Ian Richardson Co. and a former Allen County Democratic precinct committeeman (Precinct 298, 2021–2025) in his iVoterGuide profile [17]. Lives in Bluffton [16].

Richardson's positions

Economy & jobs

  • Says "Indiana hasn't given its workers a raise in sixteen years" and that he will raise the minimum wage; supports child care tax credits [14].

Health care

  • Wants to "help to reign in the cost of medical care and medications" [14]; supports a state-backed supplemental health insurance system [17].

Energy & utilities

  • Proposes community-scale microgrids pairing vertical-axis wind turbines with basalt thermal storage, which his campaign says "lowers home energy costs" [15].

Environment

  • Supports "holding polluters accountable for our water quality" [14].

Education

  • Supports expanded education spending and education grants [14].

Cannabis

  • Supports legalizing cannabis and taxing it "like tobacco" [14, 17].

Elections & redistricting

  • In his iVoterGuide answers, supports abolishing the Electoral College and ranked choice voting; listed himself as neutral on photo ID for voting [17].

How Richardson would run the office

  • Cites medication costs and dealing with insurers as reasons for running [16].

Richardson on the current officeholder

  • Does not name Lehman on his campaign site; says "I've watched Indiana get more expensive while our legislature offers little more than silence" [16].

How Richardson got on the ballot

  • Unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary [13].

Richardson's endorsements and funding

  • His iVoterGuide profile reports an endorsement from the Indiana Reproductive Freedom PAC [17]. No campaign finance totals found.

What we could not find about Richardson

  • No news coverage of his candidacy found.
  • Campaign finance totals not found.
  • No position found on the 2025 property-tax law (SEA 1) or data centers.
  • His iVoterGuide profile also lists a 2026 food-service job and memberships in several advocacy groups; current employer not confirmed.
  • His precinct committeeman role was in Allen County, outside District 79; he says he now lives in Bluffton (Wells County). Whether his address is within the district's portion of Wells County was not verified.

Richardson's campaign website

Sources for Richardson

Key points

  • House District 79 covers all of Adams County and portions of Jay and Wells counties in northeast Indiana. (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  • Key differences: Richardson's campaign emphasizes raising the minimum wage, medical and medication costs, legalizing and taxing cannabis, and local energy microgrids; Lehman's 2026 legislative work focused on public records, energy regulation and commercial driver licensing. (Ian Richardson campaign)
  • Lehman was reelected without opposition in 2024. Both Lehman and Ian G. Richardson were unopposed for their parties' nominations in the May 5, 2026 primary. (Wikipedia)

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. Matt Lehman (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  4. Rep. Lehman re-elected as House Majority Floor Leader, to serve on key House committees (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  5. Indiana House approves redistricting bill, sending issue to state Senate (Indiana Capital Chronicle (via Yahoo News))
  6. PrimeTime: December 12, 2025 - Lehman-GiaQuinta (PBS Fort Wayne)
  7. Governor ceremonially signs bills authored and sponsored by Lehman to strengthen transparency, modernize energy regulation (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  8. Rep. Lehman: Legislation cracking down on illegal immigrants holding Commercial Driver's Licenses heads to the governor (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  9. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  10. Ian G. Richardson for Indiana HD79 (Ian Richardson campaign)
  11. Power Our Future (Ian Richardson campaign)
  12. About (Ian Richardson campaign)
  13. Ian G. Richardson (iVoterGuide)
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

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