Matthew S. Lehman
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Vincennes University, Vincennes, AS, 1984
South Adams High School, Berne, Diploma, 1981
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Berne Evangelical Church, Sunday School Teacher, 1984-2026
Swiss Village Retirement Community, Board of Directors, 2006-2026
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Monthly Donor, 2015-2026
Compassionate International, Monthly Donor, 1990-2026
Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Member and Past Board Member, 1991-2026
Rotary International, Member, 1998-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 18 years, 2008-2026
Adams County Council, 14 years, 1994-2008
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Indiana State Representative, 2026-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2026
100%
2023-2024
91%
2022
82%, 86% (cum.)†
2025
93%, 85%†
2026
|100%
2023-2024
|91%
2022
|82%, 86% (cum.)†
2025
|93%, 85%†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2025
67%, 37%†
2014-2023
37%
2025
|67%, 37%†
2014-2023
|37%
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (4)
*National Rifle Association NRA-PVF
Right to Life of Northeast Indiana
Stand For Health Freedom
Wells County Republican Party
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (15)
State Republican Party Organizations (2025)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Other Pro Life Organizations (2022)
Travis Holdman (2022)
Matthew Lehman (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (23)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2026)
Delivering the Difference for Indiana (2025)
Hoosiers for Great Public Schools (2025)
Good To Be Free PAC (2024)
Hoosiers for Economic Growth (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Taft Stettinius & Hollister (2026)
Stand for Children (2018)
Everytown for Gun Safety (2016)
OTHER INFORMATION
Voted Yes for House Roll Call Vote 1337 pro-life 2016 which was the final concurrence vote in the Indiana House on a pro-life bill from this session that banned abortion because of race, gender or disability and also mandated that abortion clinics must dispose of aborted babies through a relationship with a funeral home via either burial or cremation. Currently they are allowed to treat aborted baby bodies as "medical waste". Voted No for House Roll Call Vote HJR 3 to remove 2nd sentence of the Marriage Amendment 2014 which defined marriage as between one man and one woman. HJR 3 stripped the Marriage Amendment of its second sentence, which essentially killed the constitutional process. Voted No for SB 20 sexual orientation 2016 which is an amendment to a bill in the Indiana House that would have added special protections for "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" into state law.
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?
The only time, and I don't think the medical community classifies it as an abortion, but in the case of the life of the mother such as ectopic pregnancy.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
I believe the only role the government should have is to not be a barrier. In some cases, the government may be an asset but it is not the responsibility of the government that a person succeeds.
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.
Disagree
I think college costs have outpaced earnings, but I still feel it is the individuals responsibility to pay for the career path they choose.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Indiana must have a balanced budget but to keep that on tract I would look at Medicaid and K-12 Education
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.
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?
Government cannot establish a state religion and must allow all faiths to practice without government approval or mandates.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
We must work to control costs as much as possible and I believe we have an obligation to the poorest amongst us as with Medicaid and Medicare, but government run healthcare will fail and in the end cost everyone more money.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The Affordable Care Act started us on this path of little or no competition in the insurance industry and the same is playing out amongst the care providers. We need additional options and allow people to opt out of certain coverages.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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?
America should be open to all legitimate persons but through a process. We need to reform immigration because it takes way too long to become a citizen. If you are a criminal in your home country, then you become ineligible and should not be allowed into the U.S.
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.
As a Christian I believe Christ has called us to be light and salt to all people. We are called to care for the widows and orphans in their distress and to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. I believe it is the role of the person and the church to first, and foremost help people and the government's role is to be an aid if needed but very limited.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College is the only way small states have any say in a presidential race. The founders gave the most power to the people via the House of Representatives and felt the Presidency should not be the same.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
It can be. There are groups that given the opportunity would love to return to the days of Jim Crow and that would create domestic insecurity. Too many people are being given the label of racist for simply disagreeing and that is also a threat to domestic security.
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.
Voting record in the Indiana House of Representatives since 2009 session is all available at www.iga.in.gov. That record will show my support for life, 2A rights and the protection of religious freedom and common-sense legislation like keeping boys out of girl's sports.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have been in the House for 18 years and have served as the Majority Leader since 2015 so I feel I have the experience and knowledge to lead Indiana and do what is best for the citizens of the 79th district.
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 am pragmatic person who will listen to all sides of an issue. I want to be fully informed before I cast a vote. While we may not agree with each other, I will always show people the respect they deserve, and I will be upfront with my views and convictions. Good government involves compromise but I will not compromise on the core beliefs of my faith and my Christian convictions.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Yes, but I support the schools right to set rules for storage and access.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The only restriction I have ever supported is the Red Flag laws and I will continue to support them as long as the burden of proof is not on the gun owner.
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?
We are a part-time legislature and we bring our expertise to the chamber. As an insurance agent, I will continue to work on insurance legislation that will protect the consumer. I co-chair the state Audit committee and we will continue to have legislation to keep government spending transparent and accoutable. I will work with several other legislators to make sure we protect rural investments including rural healthcare.
