Matthew Lehman

Republican | Indiana

Candidate Profile

Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Matthew Lehman


Party

Republican


Election Year

2022


Election

Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 79


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Matthew Lehman websites
Matthew Lehman phones
Matthew Lehman emailFacebookLinkedIn

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, Swiss Village Retirement Community, Board of Directors

Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Monthly Donor, Compassionate International

Monthly Donor, Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana, Member and Past Board Member

Rotary International, Member

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Representative, 14

Adams County Council, 14

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

Race

Previous Races

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (1)

National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Northeast Indiana Right to Life

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Indiana Right to Life

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (11)

Ben Smaltz (2018)

Big "I" Political Action Committee (2008)

Big Red PAC (2015)

Daniel Leonard (2013)

Doug Gutwein (2013)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (12)

Ben Smaltz (2020)

Big "I" Political Action Committee (2021)

Big Red PAC (2014)

Big Red Political Action Committee (2015)

Christopher Judy (2020)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Everytown for Gun Safety (2016)

International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2021)

Stand for Children (2018)

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

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

The only time abortion should be considered is if the physical life of the mother is in jeopardy.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Strongly Disagree


ECONOMY

What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?

Indiana tax code is good. We need to continue to insure that if a tax is levied for a specific purpose those parameters should be adhered to.

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

We have a balanced budget with a continuing surplus and that is why we need to see measured tax cuts as well as pay off debt

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Disagree


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

The church should never be allowed to not meet.


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.

i would align closer to C because I think the commitment to Medicare would be difficult to unwind but I do not favor the government getting into the funding of healthcare.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

It depends on the entity. Government should never. Schools should based on the degree - my daughter had to comply with hepatitis vaccines due to a medical degree. Employers should only allowed if all employees are granted all exemptions under the law.


NATIONAL SECURITY

What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?

Stronger protection of immigration access and be more proactive on monitoring groups hostile to the United States

I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.

Strongly Disagree


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

America is the great melting pot and all peoples who want to be free should have access to the United States but all need to go through a strong vetting process and anyone with a serious criminal background should not be allowed.


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.

Strongly Disagree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition

Strongly Agree

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I was born and raised an evangelical Christian and came to my own commitment to Christ in high school. I believe the Bible is the infallible word of God and its truths and teachings impact every decision I make.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?

Indiana has strong election laws and I will continue to support laws that make sure our elections are open to all but everyone must document who they are when voting absentee.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Racism unchecked is a threat. We must have dialogue but we can’t rewrite history and we should never hold one race responsible for the adverse actions of others solely base on race.

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.

A. We must have a safe and healthy energy policy but that includes all energies.

I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.

Agree


ABOUT YOU

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

Government is in place to act on issues that impact the society as a whole - treaties, infrastructure etc. It was never intended to intervene into the everyday lives of Americans.

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).

For the past 12 years I have authored, co-authored and voted for issues in Indiana that line up with my answers to these questions. That data is available via the Indiana General Assembly’s website archives. I have participated, as a panelist, in the Northeast Indiana Right to Life forum for the past 5 years.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.

No

What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?

My priorities are to protect the family by providing educational choices, keeping their taxes low and allowing them to work, play and worship however they see fit. I want to make Indiana a place for businesses to grow so that workers can earn a fair wage to provide for their families without governmental intrusion.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.

Strongly Agree

I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.

Strongly Disagree

We need stronger mental health programs but NOT at the expense of law enforcement.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I do support the Red Flag laws in Indiana but that is the extent of governmental involvement. No to gun registration, no to ammo limits and yes to lawful carry

Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.

Strongly Disagree

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