Ryan Lauer
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, 2001
Valparaiso High School, Valparaiso, IN, 1995
WORK & MILITARY
Cummins Inc, Technical Advisor, 2005-date
AFFILIATIONS
Grace Lutheran Church, Former Church Council President
Sheriff's Merit Board of Bartholomew County, Member
Community Corrections Advisory Board, Member
"Save Eos" campaign, Co-founder
Uncommon Cause, Co-chair
M2 Minds on Math, Math Mentor
Indiana Public Defender's Commission, Member
Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Violinist
Bartholomew County Republican Ladies Leagure, Associate Member
American Chemical Society, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Bartholomew County Council, 2011-2014
Bartholomew County Council President, 2014
State Representative, 2018-date
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, District 59, 2014-date
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2022
91%, 95% (cum.)†
2023-2024
91%
2025
93%, 84%†
2026
83%
2022
|91%, 95% (cum.)†
2023-2024
|91%
2025
|93%, 84%†
2026
|83%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2014-2023
44%
2025
33%, 43%†
2014-2023
|44%
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
*National Rifle Association NRA-PVF
Stand For Health Freedom
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (14)
State Republican Party Organizations (2026)
Todd Young (2026)
Ryan Lauer (2024)
Suzanne Crouch (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (9)
Hoosiers for Great Public Schools (2025)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2025)
Ryan Lauer (2024)
Greg Walker (2023)
Erin Houchin (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Taft Stettinius & Hollister (2025)
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?
I am pro-life and believe life is precious. We should strive to change hearts and minds to protect innocent children who have innate constitutional rights to life and liberty. I have a proven record of standing up for the rights of children and protecting the most vulnerable among us. In 2022, I supported SB1 which made Indiana the first in the nation, following the Dobbs decision, to pass pro-life legislation banning the abortion industry. SB1 does protect the mother in rare life-threatening exceptions. Many thousands of babies have been saved since and the opposition's dire predictions never came to pass. SB1 also increased needed support for single mothers and families needing assistance and supplies for their newborns, and now we have seen infant mortality decline significantly in recent years. This has meant more healthy babies and healthy mothers across our state.
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.
Disagree
The Indiana Constitution affords free public education to Hoosiers and fully agree in education available to all. For K-12, children should have school choice with tuition costs covered. Taxpayer funds should follow the student. College however should be affordable with scholarships available, but taxpayers should not pay for college tuitions. Taxpayers pay plenty already to ensure public universities are accessible, affordable and educate.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
With conservative fiscal policies and consistently cutting taxes, Indiana has a strong economy with a balanced budget today including no state debt. I supported cutting 5% of state government last year which passed in our balanced budget.
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?
This phrase is not found in the Constitution or founding documents. In fact, it is important to respect the free exercise of religion as individuals even if you are serving in government. The state may not force a religion on any individual but prayer in school, teaching Christianity, or invocations at government meetings should be encouraged in our society.
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 believe more transparency in billing and limiting insurance companies involvement in doctor-patient decisions would help bring costs down for Hoosiers. We also expanded the number of doctor residencies and nursing programs to make sure we have more options in healthcare that helps lower costs with competition. Getting government out of healthcare and pharmaceuticals would dramatically lower the price of health care.
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
It is important for our country to have strong borders and controlled immigration on merit and necessity.
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?
Immigration should be solely based on merit and benefit to our country. We should have controls on legal immigration and address abuses of birthright citizenship and stop birth tourism.
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.
I am a Christian and follow Jesus Christ. I'm blessed to have a wonderful church family, and was born and raised Lutheran. I believe in God the Father, in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, and in the Holy Spirit, Amen.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Indiana has had voter ID in the law for many years, and it should always be the case to show ID when voting.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The racism in group identity has been a problem in civil discourse in our country recently. Individuals as well as government should focus on the individual regardless of race, color or ethnicity. How we treat each other matters and should always strive to treat our neighbors as ourselves.
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.
I have been consistent in the legislature in voting and passing legislation that is conservative and promotes freedom and opportunity for all Hoosiers. My record is clear, championing pro-life legislation, religious freedom, parental rights, protecting women, protecting abused and neglected children, cutting taxes and balancing multiple budgets.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I'm a fifth generation Hoosier with a wonderful family and career. I was honored to serve in local government and found I could make a positive difference serving the people. As a state legislator, I have been focused on protecting the most vulnerable and limiting government while expanding freedom and opportunity for all Hoosiers.
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?
Thank you for your interest and consideration. I urge every Hoosier to be registered and be sure to vote.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I supported the current law passed in Indiana which allows a school board to certify teachers to have firearms available in emergencies. This is a voluntary program. As a practical matter, it's not advised to carry during school but to have firearms available in a lockbox, quickly accessible, in case of an emergency for an additional layer of protection in the classroom.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I co-authored Indiana's Constitutional carry law which allows all adult citizens to possess firearms, except for felons and violent criminals who forfeit their right in society to have firearms.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Protecting abused and neglected children. Lowering or eliminating property taxes for lower and middle class families. Improving road safety and maintaining a balanced budget.
