
John Ruckelshaus
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Ruckelshaus
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senator, District 29
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, BA, Political Science and History, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Catholic Archdiocese Board of Education, Board Member, 2015-
Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Trust Fund Board, Board member, 2026-
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Indiana House of Representatives (HD-49), 1990-1992
Indiana State Senator (SD-30), 2016-2020
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Indiana State Senate (SD-29), 2026-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Stand For Health Freedom
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (21)
Becky Cash (2025)
Brett Clark (2024)
Blake Doriot (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Alexander Choi (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (31)
Long Political Action Committee LLC (2025)
Luke Kenley (2025)
Mark Messmer (2025)
Michael Crider (2025)
Mike Karickhoff (2025)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2020)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (2020)
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (2019)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2017)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
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?
-Rape, incest, and the life of the mother.
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.
Neutral
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 government should not impose its rules, regulations, and taxation on churches.
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?
I would promote the adoption of free-market and faith-based solutions for health coverage.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
With respect to the state budget, we need to focus on further reductions in Medicaid spending, up to and including workshare requirements for able-bodied, childless adults.
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?
100% legal, merit-based immigration is the only system in which people should be allowed to immigrate to the United States.
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I have been on record supporting this exact issue, provided that schools allow proper training. Local school boards must decide as is this is a local issue.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There should be no restrictions for law-abiding gun owners.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
I support medical use of marijuana that is properly regulated.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1) Cost of Living (Utility/Healthcare Costs), 2) Not everybody needs to go to college. We must integrate the vocational system into our high schools. 3) Disability advocacy to bring workers with disabilities to the forefront and lessen burdens on employers.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Did not answer
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I've held two separate offices in competitive state legislative districts that influenced my dedication towards working hard for my constituents.
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've knocked on 50,000 doors over the duration of my public service and I've been able to win some of the most competitive legislative districts in the State of Indiana.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a lifelong Hoosier Catholic who practices my core beliefs in prayerful commitment to Christ in everyday life. I care for my quadriplegic son every day with my wife to ensure his success and prosperity in life, as Christ would so want me to do.
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?
Absolutely not. Everyone has their First Amendment rights to free speech.
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