James (Jim) Buck
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
James (Jim) Buck
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senator, District 21
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Masters Business Administration and Bachelors of Business Administration, 1987-1989
WORK & MILITARY
Delphi Electronics/General Motors, Tool and Die Mold Maker, 1965-2001
AFFILIATIONS
We Care, Vice President, Board, 1995-2026
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Recent National Chairman, Current Board Member, Tax & Fiscal Policy Task Force Chairman, 2004-2026
Kokomo Rotary Club, Member & Volunteer, 2006-2026
Indiana University Kokomo, Advisory Board, 1996-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Indiana State Senator, District 21, 2008-2026
Indiana State Representative, District 38, 1994-2008
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Indiana State Senator, District 21, 2008-2026
Indiana State Representative, District 38, 1994-2008
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Indiana Right to Life
American Family Association PAC (Indiana)
Indiana Firefighters
National Rifle Association
Indiana Realtors
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (31)
Liz Brown (2025)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Mike Bohacek (2024)
Mike Karickhoff (2024)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Mike Karickhoff (2021)
Tony Cook (2021)
Heath VanNatter (2013)
David Long (2012)
Indiana Amusement and Music Operators Association (2012)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
International Fire Chiefs Association (2021)
American Wind Energy Association (2013)
QUESTIONNAIRE*
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To preserve the life of the mother.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Neutral
While my faith says marriage is between a man and a woman, our Supreme Court has stated otherwise. I am bound to uphold the law as defined by the Supreme Court.
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government cannot establish its own religion for its people. The First Amendment declares or establishes our right to choose the faith of our choice.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I would make sure the private sector is able to provide healthcare without government overreach or excessive regulation. Encourage the development of insurance pooling by like-minded individuals to provide insurance in a shared-cost across the pool system. I will fiscally and responsibly support our federal medicaid programs as promised to our citizenry.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would vote to reduce and/or freeze government appropriations across all agencies, including legislative, judicial and executive branches--whichever option would best result in a balanced budget.
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those individuals who desire immigration or show just cause and have sponsors to accept financial responsibility for them. Individuals willing to assimilate into our culture, language and loyalty to our nation. Government should limit the number of those that are allowed to legally become citizens predicated on our country's ability to afford and sustain their citizenship. It should be determined that an immigrant would be a productive member of American society.
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There should be no restrictions except for those who are mentally ill, those who are convicted of violent crimes, or those who are illegal immigrants.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
(1) Property Tax Reform (2) Eminent Domain Legislation to include ongoing concern or business to be justly compensated for the business itself (3) A balanced budget for the next fiscal biennium
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My public voting record in the Indiana Senate and Indiana House. For more information, please refer to endorsements in this survey.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Fourteen years serving in the Indiana House of Representatives and eighteen (18) years serving in the Indiana Senate. Recent Chair and current Board Member of ALEC. Masters of Business Administration, Tool and Die Mold Maker at Delphi/General Motors, Real Estate Broker License, former small business owner, small farmer. Married for forty-two (42) years to my wife, Judy; together we raised five (5) daughters, and together we have worked tirelessly for the Republican Party organization, both at the state and local levels.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have been and will continue to be a strong public servant for the people in Senate District 21 and the State of Indiana. I am seeking their support and vote May 5 or before.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I believe Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary, and He walked among us spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God. Because of that, He was crucified, buried and rose again and sits on the right hand of God the Father as my Intercessory for the forgiveness of my sins through His shed blood on Calvary. I am grateful to Jesus Christ for His pain, suffering, death and resurrection that allows me to be adopted into the Kingdom of God. I believe in the Ten Commandments and do my best to live my life based upon these principles. I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. I try to love my neighbor as myself.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes. We are all God's children. God loves all of his children. That is why Christ died for all. Racism creates divisiveness among our citizenry and within our communities.
