Jeff Raatz
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jeff Raatz
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senator, District 27
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Baker College, Muskegon, Michigan, Bachlors, -1990
Indiana University, Richmond, Masters, -2017
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, E4, 1983-1984
AFFILIATIONS
Crossroads of America Scout Council, State Board Member
Covenant of Peace International Ministries, Executive Board Member
Indiana University East, Advisory Board
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Indiana State Senate, 2014-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Indiana State Senate, 2026-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (15)
State Republican Party Organizations (2025)
Greg Goode (IN) (2024)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Mike Johnson (2023)
Bradford Barrett (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Hoosiers for Economic Growth (2021)
John (J.D) Prescott (2021)
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?
Only under a concrete circumstance where the Life of the Mother or Baby can survive - Mother and family should make that decision
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?
The separation of church and state "doctrine" was mistaken. Our Government should not require a certain faith just as the Bible does not require participation, however there is a price to pay. Our founders practiced Christianity by a simple review of our constitution and U.S. laws that are based on Christian ideology. The United States "Experiment" will fail if we continue on the pathway we are on disregarding the practice of the basic biblical principles we were founded on.
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?
What we do not want is a socialized system and we do not have to look far to see it does not work. The Canadian system and the access issues that come along with socialization force people into the U.S. for better care. That said we have a burdensome regulatory environment where I believe costs are exasperated which creates issues we have not been able to overcome. Greed and complexity has caused much of the issue. I do know we need to get things under control or we will not have a healthcare system. Answer - get Government out of the way creating competition which will take time and disruption but I believe part of the answer to get out of our mess.
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
Only through Primary and Secondary
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Close agencies with no benefit to the U.S., Cut waste/fraud in all govt agencies/programs, force a pathway of work requirements for benefits. Send money to nations w/strict U.S. interest ONLY. Continue DOGE cut waste, put business people in control.
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?
The United States can only continue to be a nation with a boarder with strict immigration laws. We should continually review where and who we are allowing in our nation as tensions/behaviors change around the world. In addition, assimilation at some level should be a part of the process, assuming people come here to achieve a better life. The way we remain the U.S. is where people become Americans because of the freedoms they desire without intention to change the ideology of the U.S.
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
In Indiana we passed a bill that gave schools the ability to have a plan to "store" guns somewhere in a school with limited access. That said we had much debate on any school employee carrying a weapon and limited it due to the propensity of human behavior and the possibility of leaving a gun unattended or one purposely being taken from a teacher.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a strong 2nd amendment person with a voting record to prove it - there could be people who do not have the mental capacity to have a weapon - that would be a item of deep scrutiny to take the ability from someone.
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. Protect through vigilance in Indiana our constitutional carry state. 2. Maintain the sanctity of life through banned abortion in Indiana as we continue to battle eliminating abortion pills being shipped into our state. 3. I have and will continue to promote parental choice in education
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.
Review my voting record in the Indiana General Assembly. At times I may miss it on a "Very Conservative" vote but I consider myself being strong conservative.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
12 Years in the Indiana General Assembly. I have many years in business having to cover payroll and budgets while creating larger/wider income streams. My undergrad is in Accounting/IT and a Masters in Business. That said I never consider a bill in the General Assembly without having a fiscal view as well.
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 married for 35 years with two daughters and one son in law. I have been blessed in many ways in my life which I ascribe to my faith in God. Having grown up on a large apple and cherry farm my father managed, I learned the value of hard work early in life contributing to SSI when I was 11 years old. As a patriot I love The United States of America and the freedoms that are afforded to us. I believe in opportunity for everyone to be successful and I am fortunate to serve in the Indiana General Assembly where I can help make that happen.
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.
Born again Christian since 1995 - I believe the Bible is the Word of God is True and applicable to daily life. It is a prescription for life and my wife and family have built our life around Godly principles.
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?
Racism is a matter of the heart and unfortunately, has been an issue for centuries. However, I am not convinced it is a national security problem. I believe that if we would teach our children to treat others the way they want to be treated it would eliminate the majority of the issue.
