John Young

Strongly Agree

While in office, I not only passed Indiana's abortion law, but was directly involved in crafting it with a small handful of other legislators. My floor speech can be found archived on the IGA's website. This was the most significant piece of legislation I passed while in office, and what I am most proud of. The bill has been patterned by other states, and has withstood all legal challenges thus far.

Strongly Agree

As part of the abortion bill I helped pass, Indiana effectively ended Planned Parenthoods abortion operations in Indiana.

Strongly Agree

I will stand on the exceptions contained in our law, which are to save the mother's life, cases of rape or incest, and fatal fetal anomalies.

Agree

Marriage is an institution that far pre-dates modern civilization. By definition, up until recently, marriage was always understood to be a union between a man and woman. However, I believe similar to the problems caused by Roe v. Wade which turned abortion into a federal matter where states had no control, what marriage is should be left as a state issue. I would support people in same-sex relationships having the ability to have civil unions conferring the legal benefits of marriage.

Strongly Agree

Religious liberty should absolutely be given the highest protection as it is our most fundamental liberty. The scrutiny given by government at times to religious and charitable organizations has been appalling. Freedom of expression can be chilled. Very worrisome currently is the rise in antisemitism that needs a strong government response to condemn and curtail the hate and violence against jews.

Yes

It means that government and religious institutions remain separate, and that government not establish, favor, or obstruct any religion. This does not mean that the government needs to ignore its historical roots in that the United States was founded by people that believed in Christian principles and were of the Christian faith, and it should not be problematic that that fact be recognized by the government.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Health insurance is not health care. People should be, and are, treated when they are sick or injured. While not minimizing the devastating impact uninsured health costs can have on families and individuals, the rights enumerated in our constitution are negative spelling out what government cannot do to citizens. This would be an example of government creating a positive right that government itself would need to provide for by subsidizing, and is antithetical to constitutional principles.

Obamacare needs to be ended as a start. The health insurance market needs more competition without having to provide for services arbitrarily required by the government. The result of Obamacare in Indiana has been fewer options and a near monopoly in the industry.

Strongly Disagree

If you could even determine what a 'livable income' is, it could only be accomplished through government by transferring the wealth of others to subsidize those to a point that their income is 'livable'. There would be no limit. Or, if it is through government mandating employers to pay a certain wage to equalize income, the result would be the opposite of the intent. Attempts at this, such as California's $20 per hour fast-food minimum wage, lead to loss of jobs and reduced employee hours.

Strongly Agree

When those principles are not followed, such as in former Soviet Russia as an example, the consequences speak for themselves. Free enterprise drives the spirit of capitalism. Private property is the foundation for individual independence and autonomy. Without the right to accumulate property, individuals would be solely reliant on government to take care of their needs. Also through the ownership of private property citizens may defend themselves against government.

Strongly Disagree

At the federal level, spending on more unnecessary government and reducing unnecessary government, e.g. DOGE. At the state level, Indiana's budget has balanced under fiscally conservative leadership.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

People should first and foremost immigrate following our laws. They should be individuals that want to assimilate. This does not mean they abandon their cultural heritage, but that they embrace what America is and stands for. Immigrants need to have skills that will benefit our society and not coming with the intent on just recieving benefits. Individuals that want to come from nations hostile to our interests should be heavily scrutinized. The U.S. used to have quotas, which should be revisited

Yes

I agree, so long as they have went through appropriate training. This is a requirement in Indiana.

None, other than specific types of weapons that may be possessed such as sub-machine guns. These types of firearms have been ruled illegal for quite sometime. Otherwise, the 2nd Amendment is pretty clear that it is an individual right that should not be infringed on lightly, if at all.

Disagree

For the states that have passed legalization, it appears the problems it causes outweigh the benefits. I believe a discussion on decriminalization, to an extent, has some merit.

I would be much more focused on education issues, as I believe that will be a key for the growth of our state in the future. I would continue to also focus on criminal and judicial matters. Planning and zoning laws would be very important as well as that relates directly to housing affordability, which is a legitimate concern.

Strongly Disagree

Conservative

I identify as a constitutional conservative.

The legislation I personally carried while being a State Representative for District 47 from 2016-2022, along with the bills I voted for and against. My complete legislative record can be found on the Indiana General Assembly website. Since leaving office, I advanced a public safety bill authored by Rep. Steve Bartels that provides for conservancy districts to establish a conservancy district marshal's office. This year I worked with Sen. Raatz on legislation that should soon pass that would make school vendor contracts requiring schools to indemnify the vendor for its negligent acts against public policy, along with choice of law provisions in those contracts requiring litigation in states other than Indiana.

I was a former representative for 6 years. I was Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary committee, was on Courts and Criminal Code Committee, Government and Regulatory Reform Committe, and Family and Children Services Committee. My experience and occupation of being an attorney with a general practice was exceedingly valuable in helping me understand legislation and the impact it would have when applied. I authored, sponsored, and successfully passed a great deal of conservative legislation. I contributed to many other bills through small amendments, or the author coming to me asking for my input as their legislation was being drafted or going through the process.

No.

I am an avid outdoorsman, doing a great deal of morel mushroom hunting in the spring, and I particularly love to fish. I have won or placed in several bass fishing tournaments as a co-angler with the Indiana Bass Federation, Bass Fishing League, and most recently last fall finished 18 out of 238 at the B.A.S.S. Nation national championship on the Mississippi River/La Crosse, Wisconsin. I qualified after winning the Indiana State Championship as a co-angler in 2024. I also enjoy playing guitar (and a little singing) either solo or with others, and am not afraid to show up to an open mic night. I also love my Indiana Hoosiers.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

That is unworkable because sexual orientation, gender identity/expression are not necessarily inherent, immutable traits like skin color, ethnicity, or gender. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court, not Congress, has ruled discrimination based on sexual orientation is a form of sex discrimination which I do not agree with.

I grew up and was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church. I was taught to believe in a forgiving and loving God with the clear understanding that God could also be wrathful. Spiritually, I believe we are all of our Creator's likeness, and believe we all have a common connection even if we refuse to recognize it because of our differences, including religious. Honesty, integrity, compassion, love, and hard work would be core spiritual values to me.

Strongly Disagree

This is common sense to prevent fraudulent elections.

Strongly Disagree

Abolishing the Electoral College would often make the choice of voters meaningless in states like Indiana, and make it likely that small-state voters' opinions would be ignored in favor of candidates catering to large population bases.

No. The United States is probably the least racist and most tolerant country in the world.