James "Jim" Baird
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
James "Jim" Baird
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 4
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Purdue University, West Lafayette, BS
Purdue University, West Lafayette, MS
University of Kentucky, Lexington, PhD
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, 1st Lt
Officer Candidate School
Panama Jungle School
Viet Nam
AFFILIATIONS
Putnam County Fairboard, Past President, Rotary of Greencastle
Past President, Cummings Mental Health, Past President
Putnam County Extention Board, Indiana Beef Cattle Assoc
Board of Zoning Apeals
Pork Producers, Numerous other Community Boards
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
U.S. Representative, 2019 -Present
State Representative, 2010-2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019-20
100%
2019
100%
2019-20
100%
2020
A
2020
96%
2015-16
94%
2019-20
92%
2019
90%, 90% (cum.)â€
2019
85%
2019-20
83%, 83% (cum.)â€
2019
81%, 81% (cum.)â€
2019
76%, 76% (cum.)â€
2019
75% (cum.)â€
2019
70% (cum.)â€
2019-20
67%, 68% (cum.)â€
2018
67%
2019
B-
2019-20
|100%
2019
|100%
2019-20
|100%
2020
|96%
2015-16
|94%
2019-20
|92%
2019
|90%, 90% (cum.)â€
2019
|85%
2019-20
|83%, 83% (cum.)â€
2019
|81%, 81% (cum.)â€
2019
|76%, 76% (cum.)â€
2019
|75% (cum.)â€
2019
|70% (cum.)â€
2019-20
|67%, 68% (cum.)â€
2018
|67%
2019
|B-
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2018
33%, 33% (cum.)â€
2019
20%, 20% (cum.)â€
2019-20
17%
2019
0%
2019
0% (cum.)â€
2019
0%
2019
F
2018
|33%, 33% (cum.)â€
2019
|20%, 20% (cum.)â€
2019-20
|17%
2019
|0% (cum.)â€
2019
|0%
2019
|F
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
National Right To Life
The Guardian Fund
OTHER (1)
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Indiana
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Connie Lawson (2017)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2018)
Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence (2016)
Republican Women's Organizations (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (57)
Aiming Higher PAC (2010)
Austin Scott (2019)
Bob Heaton (2010)
Brian Babin (2020)
Brian Bosma (2010)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2017)
Together We Thrive (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
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?
I am 100% Pro-Life. Other than life of the mother, abortion should never be legal.
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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Social Security benefits must be protected for future generation. If we allow the career politicians in Washington continue down this path of reckless spending and out of control debt then social security will be in danger. We must balance our budget, grow the economy, and prioritize funding this program at the federal level.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
President Trump recently announced a proposed budget that would balance the budget in the next 15 years. This is accomplished through cutting 5% of discretionary non-defense spending. Through Congressional oversight we have a responsibility to monitor inefficient and ineffective use of taxpayer dollars.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
In general, I believe taxpayers shouldn’t be held responsible for paying off student loans.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
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?
Separation of church and state ties into religious freedom. We all should have the right to worship without fear of government intervention. Our Country was founded on Judeo-Christian values and we must protect the freedom to worship.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Obamacare must be repealed. I have a fundamental understanding of how this law impacts Hoosiers. As a former owner of a health care company I have seen the terrible consequences of this law. In Washington I am working toward free market solutions that finally improves quality and drives down price.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Radical Islamic terrorism is dedicated to destroying our way of life and must be fought at every turn. However, the United States can’t be engaging in wars across the globe. We must rebuild our military and support allies who share our beliefs and their efforts to fight terrorism around the globe. Standing with Israel is an example of where our government must do all our power to support a freedom loving ally who share our values.
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
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
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We are a nation of immigrants. People willing to lawfully migrate to our Country through the existing process should be welcome.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which 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 and the salvation of humanity through His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. The power of prayer is beyond reproach.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My public vote record reinforces my conservative ideology. I hold a 100% voting record with the National Right to Life Committee, a 96% voting record with Heritage Action for America, 100% voting record from Americans for Prosperity, and a 93% voting record with the National Rifle Association.
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 graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. I am a decorated Vietnam Veteran, having served as a 1st Lt. in the United States Army, and was awarded a Bronze Star with a V device and two Purple Hearts with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Before being elected to Congress I operated Baird Family Farms and Indiana Home Care Plus, a business with locations throughout West Central Indiana. I previously served as a State Representative from House District 44 and previously served as a Putnam County Commissioner. I will stand with the President and fight to end the political class’ grip on power in Washington. I want every American to have the opportunity to enjoy success, prosperity, and freedom.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Our Founding Fathers place the right to bear arms in our Constitution and we must protect the Second Amendment from being infringed upon. We should be diligent about keeping guns out of the hands of people with a history of violence or mental health issues. While criminals still make an effort to obtain firearms, we must make their efforts as difficult as possible, while also protecting the rights of law abiding citizens.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
If re-elected I will continue to prioritize legislation that is pro-economic growth, supports agriculture and addresses national defense.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Violence driven by racism should always be addressed head-on. Our Nation is one of immigrants and we are proudly a diverse Country. Our families, churches, neighborhoods and communities play an important role in educating about the evils of racism and we should take every opportunity to have that discourse.
