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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 81

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 81 covers the northwestern part of Fort Wayne and part of central Allen County, according to the House Republican caucus [3]; the Journal Gazette describes it as including northwest Allen County [12].
  • Carbaugh was reelected with 64.9% of the vote in 2024 [4].
  • May 5, 2026 Republican primary: Carbaugh 3,795 votes (75.1%), David Mervar 1,256 (24.9%). Democratic primary: Sharon Wight 1,976 (81.6%), Chad Clevidence 446 (18.4%) [4].
  • Key differences: Carbaugh's legislative focus has been health care pricing and insurance [3, 7]; Wight emphasizes accessibility, public transit, public-school funding, union support and marijuana legalization [13].
  • No debate or forum for this race was found.

Candidates on the ballot

Martin Carbaugh

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
Financial planner with Financial Focus [3]

Seven-term incumbent and chair of the House Insurance Committee [3]. Won the May 2026 Republican primary with 75.1% [4].

Carbaugh's background

  • Financial planner with Financial Focus; attended Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne; lifelong Fort Wayne resident [3].
  • Volunteers with Junior Achievement teaching financial literacy; member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the National Federation of Independent Business [3].

Carbaugh's positions

Health care

  • Says HEA 1004 is meant to "hold hospitals accountable for lower and more transparent pricing, prioritize patients and reduce health care costs" [7].
  • In a June 2026 column on hospital pricing and the state's claims database he wrote: "This is meaningful progress, but the work is not finished" [14].

Economy & jobs

  • The caucus lists his priorities as reducing regulations that hinder workforce growth, a competitive tax code and fiscally conservative state finances [3].

Education

  • On SEA 88: "This new law helps ensure students are prepared not just for graduation, but for life after high school" [8].

Energy & utilities

  • Was among northeast Indiana legislators announcing the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's March 2026 energy affordability investigation, which included Indiana Michigan Power [15].

How Carbaugh would run the office

  • Says more work remains on health care costs for people with marketplace and other non-direct-employer plans [7].

Carbaugh on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No public statements about his challenger were found.

How Carbaugh got on the ballot

  • Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary over David Mervar, 75.1% to 24.9% [4].

Carbaugh's endorsements and funding

  • Wikipedia lists primary endorsements from Donald Trump, Gov. Mike Braun, Americans for Prosperity, the NFIB Indiana PAC and the NRA Political Victory Fund [4]. No fundraising figures were verified.

What we could not find about Carbaugh

  • No campaign website was found.
  • Campaign finance totals were not checked.
  • No statements on data centers, property taxes or the 2025 redistricting vote beyond his recorded votes were found.

Carbaugh's record in office

Indiana House record, District 81 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
27
10 became law
Co-authored
38
20 became law
Sponsored
9
6 became law
Co-sponsored
14
12 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Insurance (Chair)
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance, Interim Study Committee on (House Chair)
  • Education
  • Public Health
  • Pension Management Oversight, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)
  • Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 415, No 54, Excused 19, Not voting 3
  • 2024: Yes 271, No 24, Excused 13, Not voting 2
  • 2025: Yes 375, No 80, Excused 31, Not voting 24
  • 2026: Yes 270, No 94, Not voting 13
How Carbaugh voted on 37 selected bills
The 88 bills Carbaugh carried

  • HB 1291: Information about health care and health coverage.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Amends the law requiring a hospital to file an annual report with the Indiana department of health: (1) to require that a hospital's report also be filed with the all payer claims data base; and (2) to require a hospital to include in the report additional information concerning the hospital's medical loss ratio, the total funding received by the hospital under the CARES Act, and other matters.

  • HB 1308: Indiana crime guns task force.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the Indiana crime guns task force area may include Allen County.

  • HB 1327: Accountancy.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "principal place of business".

  • HB 1357: Transition from Marketplace plan to Medicare.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an insurer or health maintenance organization that provides coverage under an Affordable Care Act Marketplace (Marketplace) plan to provide to each individual covered under the Marketplace plan, not more than two months before the birthday on which the individual will become 65 years of age, a written message that includes: (1) a statement that the individual will be eligible to enroll in

  • HB 1405: Education fund transfers.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that each school corporation shall make every reasonable effort to transfer not more than 20% (instead of 15%) of the total revenue deposited in the school corporation's education fund from the school corporation's education fund to the school corporation's operations fund during calendar year 2023 and calendar year 2024.

  • HB 1410: Multiple employer welfare arrangements.

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

    Requires a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) providing benefits for employers that are public entities to provide each public entity that has 51 or more employees covered under the arrangement access to claims data specific to that public entity.

  • HB 1414: Financial literacy.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2027, an individual must successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course before the individual may graduate.

  • HB 1432: Personal allowance for facility residents.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases the personal allowance for residential care recipients and Medicaid recipients from $52 to $100.

  • HB 1451: Unemployment compensation.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the definition of "deductible income" for purposes of the unemployment compensation laws.

  • HB 1494: Prohibition on charging residual interest.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "residual interest", with respect to a credit card, as interest that: (1) accrues on the outstanding balance on a credit card account from the close of a particular billing cycle until the cardholder's payment on the account posts; and (2) may result in a cardholder owing interest even if the cardholder pays off the full amount shown as outstanding on the statement issued as of the close o

  • 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 1125: Delivery network companies.

    2023 · Co-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 1329: Insurance matters.

    2023 · Co-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 1346: Gender fluidity.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a school may not promote or encourage the use of, or require, compel, or coerce a student, an employee of the school, or a staff member of the school to use: (1) a pronoun, title, or other word to identify a student, school employee, or other individual that is inconsistent with the student's, employee's, or individual's biological sex; or (2) a name or nickname to identify a student

  • HB 1422: Dementia care.

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

    Provides that an area agency on aging designated by the bureau of aging services (area agency) may establish a dementia care specialist program.

  • 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 1457: Public health matters.

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

    Establishes licensing standards for rural emergency hospitals.

  • HB 1483: Discipline rules regarding bullying.

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

    Provides that discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must include timetables for reporting bullying incidents to parents of both the targeted student and the alleged perpetrator in an expedited manner that is not later than five business days after the incident is reported.

  • 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 1503: Regulation of sexually oriented businesses.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a sexually oriented business may not operate within 1,000 feet of specified facilities that cater to minors.

  • HB 1559: Employment of individuals with a disability.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes a tax credit for an eligible taxpayer that employs certain individuals with a disability.

  • SB 168: Statewide assessment results.

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

    Requires (rather than permits) the department of education to include in a contract with a statewide assessment vendor entered into or renewed after June 30, 2023, a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results.

  • SB 268: Prohibited pension system investments.

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

    Prohibits the Indiana public retirement system from investing in certain restricted entities or restricted investment products, including particular investments publicly confirmed to be controlled by the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party.

  • 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 318: Audit of Medicaid program prescription drug costs.

    2023 · Co-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 345: Termination of parental rights.

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

    Defines "safe haven infant".

  • SB 400: Health care matters.

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

    Requires the state employee health plan, policies of accident and sickness insurance, and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for wearable cardioverter defibrillators.

  • HB 1326: Occupational health and safety.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the commissioner of labor or the commissioner's duly designated representative may assess a civil penalty of not less than the minimum civil penalty and not more than the maximum civil penalty adopted by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 for an employer who violates certa

  • HB 1332: Insurance matters.

    2024 · 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 · 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 1370: Cemetery perpetual care fund.

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

    Provides that a cemetery: (1) consisting solely of a columbarium installed before January 1, 2025; (2) that is located on property consisting of at least 40 acres that is owned by a nonprofit organization with a focus on veterans that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and (3) that is located on property that was owned by the nonprofit orga

  • HB 1371: Certified registered nurse anesthetists.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to administer anesthesia under the direction of and in the immediate presence of a podiatrist or dentist.

  • 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 1099: Alzheimer's disease and dementia education.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to: (1) collaborate with a national Alzheimer's disease and dementia organization in educating the public about Alzheimer's disease and dementia; and (2) identify and collaborate with additional partners in the education.

  • HB 1175: Repayment of medical school loans.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the Indiana department of health (department) to establish and administer a medical school loan forgiveness pilot program (program) for the purpose of attracting physicians to practice medicine in Indiana.

  • 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 1221: Material that is obscene or harmful to minors.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines terms and amends the education and criminal laws related to material that is obscene or harmful to minors.

  • HB 1309: Property tax payments for nonprofit hospitals.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a nonprofit hospital to pay a certain amount to the county treasurer based on the property tax liability that would be due based on the nonprofit hospital's gross assessed value of exempt property if no exemptions were applied, depending on the extent to which the nonprofit hospital's average of aggregate prices charged in a year exceeds the nationwide average of aggregate prices charged

  • HB 1385: Emergency medical services.

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

    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 139: Psilocybin treatment program.

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

    Establishes the therapeutic psilocybin research fund, administered by the Indiana department of health (state department), to provide financial assistance to research institutions in Indiana to study the use of psilocybin to treat mental health and other medical conditions.

  • SB 148: Workforce data collection.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services (division), beginning 12 months after the direct support professional registry is implemented, to post monthly on the division's website the total number of individuals registered under the registry.

  • SB 215: Medicare supplement insurance.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that after December 31, 2024, an issuer that makes a Medicare supplement policy or certificate available to persons at least 65 years of age must make the equivalent policy or certificate available to an individual under 65 years of age who is eligible for Medicare because of having a federally defined disability or end stage renal disease.

  • SB 282: Absenteeism and school attendance.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the duties of an attendance officer and the state attendance officer.

  • SB 180: Central bank digital currency.

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

    Prohibits a governmental body (defined as the state or a state agency) from: (1) accepting payment made with a central bank digital currency; or (2) requiring payment to be made with a central bank digital currency; for any service, tax, license, permit, fee, information, or other amount due the governmental body.

  • SB 225: Exchange of insurance information after accident.

    2024 · Co-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 270: Various education matters.

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

    Establishes limitations regarding the lease of school property.

  • HB 1004: Health care matters.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes: (1) a state directed payment program (program) for hospitals; and (2) a managed care assessment fee.

  • HB 1585: Cemetery perpetual care fund.

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

    Exempts certain veteran focused nonprofit cemeteries from certain deposit and trustee requirements with respect to a perpetual care fund.

  • HB 1587: Insurance matters.

    2025 · 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 1589: Public safety officer benefit advisory board.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the public safety officer benefit advisory board (board).

  • HB 1591: Victims of Communism Remembrance Day.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the governor to annually issue a proclamation designating the seventh day of November as Victims of Communism Remembrance Day.

  • HB 1593: Fraud prevention.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the definition of "principal office" for purposes of the statutes governing business entities.

  • HB 1595: Long term care insurance partnership program.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to reapply before September 1, 2025, for a Medicaid state plan amendment that provides for the establishment of the long term care partnership program and the discontinuance of the current long term care program.

  • HB 1629: High school history curriculum.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education to develop curricula or approve instruction regarding the history of communism.

  • 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 1031: Dental matters.

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

    Specifies the persons that may file an action to obtain an injunction against an individual practicing dentistry without a license and the action that is required or allowed to be included in an injunction.

  • HB 1148: Confidentiality of birth and stillbirth records.

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

    Provides that a registration or certificate of a birth or stillbirth is open to public inspection and copying upon the request of any person that occurs 99 years (instead of 75 years) after the record is created.

  • HB 1160: Student immunizations.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a student enrolled in a health profession education program may not be required to receive an immunization as a condition of: (1) participating in; or (2) obtaining; clinical training or clinical experience required by the program when the student has a medical or religious exemption.

  • HB 1173: Ban on university practices.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a state educational institution may not investigate, threaten disciplinary action regarding, punish, or solicit the reporting of certain student speech.

  • HB 1195: Pornographic material.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a specified school to adopt policies and procedures concerning material alleged to be pornographic, obscene, or harmful to minors.

  • HB 1213: Insurance and transfer on death deeds.

    2025 · Co-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 1226: Medicare supplement insurance.

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

    Prohibits an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate from denying, conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of, or discriminating in the pricing of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate because of the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of an applicant who meets certain conditions.

  • HB 1502: State employee health plan payment limits.

    2025 · 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 1625: Prohibition on noncompete agreements.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits an individual, person, or other entity from entering into a noncompete agreement after June 30, 2025.

  • SB 250: Pension matters.

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

    Modifies the definition of "average of the annual compensation" for a member of the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) who retires after December 31, 2026.

  • SB 3: Fiduciary duty in health plan administration.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that any third party administrator or pharmacy benefit manager acting on behalf of a plan sponsor owes a fiduciary duty to the plan sponsor.

  • SB 520: Perpetual care fund deposits for columbariums.

    2025 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Exempts certain veteran focused nonprofit cemeteries from certain deposit and trustee requirements with respect to a perpetual care fund.

  • SB 2: Medicaid matters.

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

    Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to report specified Medicaid data to the Medicaid oversight committee.

  • SB 480: Prior authorization.

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

    Sets forth requirements for a utilization review entity that requires prior authorization of a health care service.

  • HB 1334: Directory of in network providers.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires, upon issuance and renewal of a policy, an insurer to provide a directory of providers with which the insurer has entered into a reimbursement agreement to an insured or prospective insured.

  • HB 1335: Nonprofit hospitals.

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

    Sets forth additional requirements for a nonprofit hospital's community benefits plan (plan).

  • HB 1336: Securities and investment adviser representatives.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Exempts a merger and acquisition broker from registering as a broker-dealer under certain circumstances.

  • HB 1405: Prescription drug assistance program for the elderly.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the prescription drug assistance program for the elderly (program) to be administered by the division of aging.

  • HB 1114: Coverage for certain cancer prescriptions.

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

    Prohibits a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization that provides coverage for advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions from requiring that, before providing coverage for a prescription drug, the insured fail to successfully respond to a different prescription drug or prove a history of failure of a different presc

  • HB 1258: Crimes of violence.

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

    Revises and consolidates the definition of "crime of violence".

  • HB 1260: Various insurance matters.

    2026 · Co-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 1271: Payment of health claims.

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

    Requires a hospital to: (1) disclose information concerning payment assistance programs; (2) post signs concerning the programs in specified locations of the hospital; and (3) make information concerning the programs available to individuals through the hospital's patient portal.

  • HB 1274: Insurance mandated gun free zone notices.

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

    Provides that an insurer may not require an insured or prospective insured to post or display a gun free zone notice.

  • HB 1360: Access to public records.

    2026 · Co-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 1384: Nonprofit hospital property taxes.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that real property purchased before July 1, 2026, directly or indirectly owned by a nonprofit hospital (other than a critical access hospital or a county hospital) is not exempt from property taxation if, after 10 years from the date of purchase of the property by the nonprofit hospital, the property directly or indirectly owned by the nonprofit hospital is not being used for the performa

  • HB 1427: Reporting on gender transition procedures.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires practitioners who perform gender transition procedures to report on a quarterly basis certain information to the practitioner's regulating board concerning the gender transition procedures.

  • SB 182: Gender issues.

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

    Defines "female", "male", "gender", and "sex" for all Indiana statutes.

  • SB 88: Education matters.

    2026 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends good citizenship instruction requirements.

  • SB 189: Nonparticipating providers.

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

    Requires an initiating party that submits a request for independent dispute resolution to provide written notice to the facility not later than three business days after submitting the request.

  • SB 225: Health matters.

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

    Amends the definition of "ambulatory outpatient surgical center" to remove the requirement that a surgical procedure is permitted to be performed only by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist who has certain hospital privileges.

  • 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 Carbaugh's record came from

Sources for Carbaugh

Sharon L Wight

Democratic

Work
Project manager at an educational technology company serving schools [16]

Sharon Wight is a Fort Wayne project manager and former adjunct instructor making her first run for office [12, 16]. She won the Democratic primary with 81.6% [4].

Wight's background

  • Project manager at an educational technology company that builds websites, apps and communication systems for schools; previously an adjunct instructor at area universities, an academic advisor at Purdue Fort Wayne and briefly a dual-credit instructor at Homestead High School [16].
  • Attended Fort Wayne Community Schools and holds two master's degrees [16]. Lives in Fort Wayne [12].
  • Says she has served as a church secretary since high school and that her interest in accessibility for people with disabilities began during the pandemic [16].

Wight's positions

Growth & infrastructure

  • Supports directing tax dollars to infrastructure projects "where people are, not where corporate entities want to build," and accessible public transit, neighborhoods and buildings [13].

Education

  • Supports public schools, tax funding for education, higher teacher pay and accountability for tax funding [13].

Health care

  • Says government "should not participate in private healthcare decisions" [13].

Housing

  • Opposed 2026's HB 1431 on street camping, saying it "effectively criminalizes homelessness" [13].

Economy & jobs

  • Says pay has not kept pace with living costs; supports medical and family leave plans and describes herself as "Pro-Union" [13].

Data centers

  • Lists support for HB 1043, "Data Center Water Regulation" [13].

Elections & redistricting

  • Lists support for bills on straight-ticket voting and same-day voter registration [13].

Social issues

  • Supports marijuana legalization, abortion rights, same-sex marriage and gender-affirming care [13].

How Wight would run the office

  • Says her platform is "leading with empathy," which she describes as listening to the issues Hoosiers bring to her [13].

How Wight got on the ballot

  • Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary over Chad Clevidence, 81.6% to 18.4% [4].

Wight's endorsements and funding

  • No endorsements or fundraising figures were verified.

What we could not find about Wight

  • Little news coverage of her campaign was found; Journal Gazette primary coverage could not be reviewed for this profile.
  • HD 83 candidate Wesley Haffenden's campaign site thanks Wight for opposing the proposed southwest Allen County quarry; no statement from Wight herself was found.
  • Campaign finance totals not checked.
  • Her views on health care costs, rental housing and her first-year goals could not be confirmed from freely available sources.
  • No statements about Carbaugh or his record were found on her website or in the coverage reviewed [17].

Wight's campaign website

Sources for Wight

Key points

  • House District 81 covers the northwestern part of Fort Wayne and part of central Allen County, according to the House Republican caucus; the Journal Gazette describes it as including northwest Allen County. (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  • Key differences: Carbaugh's legislative focus has been health care pricing and insurance; Wight emphasizes accessibility, public transit, public-school funding, union support and marijuana legalization. (Indiana House Republican Caucus)

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. State Rep. Martin Carbaugh: biography and committees (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  4. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  5. Carbaugh issues statement on progress from nonprofit hospital law, more work remains (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  6. Governor ceremonially signs new law sponsored by Carbaugh to strengthen career readiness (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  7. 2 Democrats campaign for state representative District 81 nomination (The Journal Gazette)
  8. Platform (Sharon Wight campaign)
  9. COLUMN: Carbaugh: Indiana is making progress on healthcare costs, but more work remains (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  10. Northeast Indiana legislators: IURC announces energy affordability investigation (Indiana House Republican Caucus)
  11. About Sharon (Sharon Wight campaign)
  12. Sharon Wight for Indiana House District 81 (Sharon Wight 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
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