Ryan Lauer
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ryan Lauer
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
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 Specialist, 2005-date
AFFILIATIONS
Grace Lutheran Church, President of Church Council, 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 at CSA Lincoln
Indiana Public Defender's Commission, Member, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Bartholomew County Council, 2011-2014
President of the Bartholomew County Council, 2014
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, District 59, 2014-2020
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
100%
2019
100%, 100% (cum.)†
2019
72%, 72% (cum.)†
2019
|100%
2019
|100%, 100% (cum.)†
2019
|72%, 72% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (1)
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Indiana
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Professional Firefighters
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (9)
Connie Lawson (2018)
Greg Pence (2019)
Luke Messer (2017)
Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence (2013)
Mitt Romney (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2019)
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?
Ryan is strongly pro-life and believes all lives are precious and we should do whatever we can to change hearts and minds and protect innocent children who have innate constitutional rights. Ryan will fight for the rights of children just waiting to be born and stand up to protect the most vulnerable among us. There are no circumstances where exceptions should be made. Ryan also believes there should be better options and lower costs for adoption and increase needed support for single mothers by making it harder for deadbeat fathers who abandon their children to skip out from their financial obligations. Ryan supports legislation to ban the sale of fetuses and seeks more opportunities for an expecting mother to hear and see the little heartbeat of her child. He also supports legislation restricting abortions after a heartbeat is present. Ryan will stand up to protect life and promote family values for Indiana.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The national emergency of the Corona Virus had a large effect on our economy, Ryan expects we will need to tighten state government budgets and reduce spending in the coming session with revenues anticipated to decrease. He will work with fellow legislators to identify departmental budgets that can be reduced, government positions to eliminate, and programs to cut. Public safety & education will remain priorities to fund while pursuing costs savings and utilizing our healthy surplus effectively.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
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?
Separation of church and state does not appear in the Constitution, rather the prohibition of the federal government making laws that abridge our right of religious freedom. Ryan believes all Americans have the right to worship and practice their religion in public places including praying in schools.
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?
Ryan knows that as a country we are missing out on incredible innovation and opportunities from individuals, the private sector, and the free market throughout the health care industry largely stifled by government regulation and intervention. In 2020, Ryan supported legislation which brings price transparency to health care consumers and eliminated surprise billing which will help lower the cost of health care for all Hoosiers. Ryan believes the best results occur when doctors and nurses can focus on treating patients and not spending precious time, energy and resources on ineffective government regulations, excessive paperwork and over-bearing mandates.
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
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?
Ryan believes our federal immigration system needs comprehensive reforms that put American workers first and relies on a merit-based system of legal and orderly immigration. Immigrants should not have access to taxpayer subsidies or public entitlements and be able to make a living and contribute to our society while obeying the law. He believes America should remain a beacon of freedom and opportunity for the world.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which 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.
Ryan is a Christian who believes we are saved by Grace through Jesus Christ our Savior. Ryan is a member and past President of the Church Council at Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus, Indiana. He and his family attend services regularly.
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.
Ryan is proud of his record of conservative leadership and fiscal responsibility in the Indiana General Assembly including passing a balanced budget, expanding school choice and charter schools, voting for pro-life and pro-gun legislation, supporting law enforcement, and paying off debt and pension obligations as examples. From his record in local government of lowering tax rates, to his tenure in the legislature, Ryan has been consistent in fighting for conservative values and Hoosier values. Ryan is also strongly pro-life, supports traditional family values, and will fight to preserve your God-given Constitutional rights including the 2nd amendment.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Ryan is a fifth generation Hoosier with the right experience at the right time. He believes in the Constitution and in preserving our uniquely American form of limited government, founded on the idea we are all created equal under God from whom our rights are bestowed. He believe this and love of our country is the most important qualification for public service. His experience in local government as former Council member President and currently as State Representative also brings a strong background in the law and understanding the legislative process which helps him effectively serve the people of his district. He successfully authored and passed three bills in his first term which fight government corruption, help protect Hoosiers from identity theft, and adds new life-saving newborn infant tests for a terrible disease. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Indiana University and also contributes to the legislature in the areas of science and technology.
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?
Ryan is a Christian, a loving father, husband, and a conservative. He has served in leadership positions in his Church, local community & government and currently serves as State Representative of the 59th District. Ryan strives to serve the people honestly, earnestly and with integrity. He would appreciate your vote on November 3rd!
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Ryan believes less restrictions for law-abiding citizens increases public safety and decreases overall crime. Ryan is a strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment and has a record expanding access to legal ownership of firearms including voting on legislation to repeal all fees for conceal carry permits of 5 years licenses for law-abiding Hoosiers.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Addressing Corona Virus related legislation Restoring our economy, expanding jobs and getting back to work Expanding School Choice and Charter Schools
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Americans are a good people and as a people we fought and won over many generations the scourge of racism and slavery. I hope our country will to strive for a more perfect union and as a force for good in the world. Racism is a threat to civil society and should be denounced wherever it exists.
