Matthew Lehman
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matthew Lehman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 79
Incumbent
Yes
Links
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, Berne Evangelical Church
Past Deacon / Church Chairman, Berne Evangelical Church, Bible Quiz Team Coach
Berne Chamber Of Commerce, Past Board Member, Swiss Village Retirement Community
Board of Directors, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Monthly Donor
Compassionate International, Monthly Donor, Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 12
Adams County Council, 14
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
100%
2017-18
100%
2015-16
94%
2016
83%, 87% (cum.)†
2018
83%, 85% (cum.)†
2019
75%, 78% (cum.)†
2019
|100%
2017-18
|100%
2015-16
|94%
2016
|83%, 87% (cum.)†
2018
|83%, 85% (cum.)†
2019
|75%, 78% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)
Ben Smaltz (2018)
Big Red PAC (2015)
Daniel Leonard (2013)
Doug Gutwein (2013)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Ben Smaltz (2015)
Big Red PAC (2014)
Big Red Political Action Committee (2015)
Daniel Leonard (2013)
David Long (2017)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Everytown for Gun Safety (2016)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2019)
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?
When all medical option have been exhausted, to save the life of the mother is the only exception I support
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Indiana has experienced a truly balanced budget over the last several years and the reason is simply living within your means and being good stewards of the peoples money.
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
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?
The 1st Amendment "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances". Simply put it means the State needs to stay out of the churches business. We are free to worship freely with NO government interference. It is NOT to separate the church from the state as some would have it.
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 am currently working on legislation that will make healthcare more transparent and empower the consumer to become a more informed user of the healthcare system. We need to repeal and replace the ACA with a state driven plan that gives multiple options to best fit the needs of your family, your finances and your medical needs.
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?
I think anyone who is yearning to be free should be allowed but we are a nation of laws and we must follow the steps to legal citizenship. I think all applicants need to be fully vetted for ties to radicals and the process should be intentionally difficult. I am for deporting illegals and those who commit crimes against Americans should lose the chance to legal entry.
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 God created the world and we are created in his image. Sin entered the world through man and we are all sinners saved by grace through Jesus Christ who paid the price for my sin on the cross of Calvary. Jesus is the only way to the father and a daily relationship with him through prayer and devotion is what drives my core values. I believe that every life is precious from conception to natural death. I believe in caring for my fellow man with the love of Christ. I believe that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. My Judeo-Christian upbringing has helped me navigate the waters of the political world while standing strong on my convictions.
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.
Please refer to my publicly available voting record
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
As a member of a part time legislature we all bring our expertise to the table. I have been in the insurance business for 30 years and I have worked to protect Hoosiers while creating a competitive marketplace for insurance consumers. I served 14 years in local government before becoming a State Rep. I have served for 11 years and currently serve as the House Majority Floor Leader and I work to teach leadership to the next generation of leaders.
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 the son of a humble dairy salesman and a stay at home mom who taught me to love my Lord, love my family and love my country in that order and that is what drive me. I love Indiana and it is a true honor to serve as a State Representative.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There are no further restrictions needed and I support enforcing current laws.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly 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?
Due to my expertise in insurance my number 1 issue is usually dealing with insurance matters. I will always support and co-author right to life issues. I usually defer to the strong pro life women to carry the bills. I will author and sponsor legislation that continues to reduces government regulation.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
As I stated earlier I believe that God created all men equal. We must embrace who we are but when we exalt or promote one race or ethnicity over another we are promoting racism. Taken to the extreme we stop making decisions based on the content of character and use other factors that divide our nation. Left unchecked it can become a threat but I think the issue of international terrorism with its ideology is a much bigger threat.
