Ryan Lauer
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ryan Lauer
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 59
Incumbent
Yes
Links
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
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
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Stand For Health Freedom
OTHER (1)
*Humane Society Legislative Fund
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Indiana Professional Fire Fighters Political Action Committee
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB PAC)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (12)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
Suzanne Crouch (2023)
Todd Young (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
Greg Pence (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Greg Walker (2023)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2023)
Erin Houchin (2022)
Greg Pence (2022)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Taft Stettinius & Hollister (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe in the sanctity of life and protecting the most vulnerable in our society. I have a 100% pro-life record and proud to help pass the strongest pro-life legislation in the country, SB 1 (2022). The life of the mother must also be protected.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None. Ever.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Communism is evil and should rightly be opposed. It is incompatible with our Constitution.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
We should remain a strong ally of Israel, the only democracy in the middle east.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C. The more government is involved in heathcare, the worse it gets. We must however take care of the vulnerable with a sturdy social safety net.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
The government and employers should not have the power to mandate vaccinations. I co-authored legislation which banned vaccine passports or mandates by government agencies and protected workers from employer mandates.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
A strong and fair economy does not require a minimum wage. We should focus on job creation and opportunity. We must ensure a level playing field and fair competition. When government dictates an artificial minimum wage, entry level jobs disappear.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
This practice should be categorized as market collusion and is antithetical to the fiduciary responsibility every public company has to their shareholders. Additionally, there is a negative correlation with ESG scores and profitability. Some politicians want to control our economy and steer markets artificially which harms the average worker and individual investors.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The federal government has failed the citizens of our great country by allowing lawlessness at the border and thereby not securing our nation. The border should be secured immediately.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
I strongly support school choice and co-authored legislation that has led to universal school choice throughout our state. Every child deserves a quality education wherever they choose.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We should support the police through policy and funding.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support the 2nd amendment and co-authored conceal carry legislation.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I support school boards voting to allow teachers to responsibly carry. This is currently the law in Indiana.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To serve the people.
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?
Very Conservative
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
We must protect our children from predators. I co-authored legislation banning child sex changes and cross-sex hormones for minors.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
I supported legislation to ban any government funds, including our prisons, from funding sex change surgeries.
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in Jesus Christ and follow him. Love one another as God loves us. My family attends Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo ID is and should continue to be required to vote.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
This is unconstitutional.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Treat people equally based on their character and actions. Racism has no place in our society.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Marxist ideations should be rejected totally.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
I co-authored legislation that protects women sports and ensures fairness in our schools.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
C. We must use and develop and innovate all sources of energy and dramatically lower the cost of fuel and electricity.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural gas, clean coal, and small nuclear reactors.
