Ryan Lauer
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ryan Lauer
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
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-date
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (10)
Connie Lawson (2018)
Greg Pence (2020)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
Luke Messer (2017)
Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Greg Pence (2020)
Hoosiers for Economic Growth (2021)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2021)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Every life is precious and every life should be protected. Abortion should not be legal.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Taxpayers should never fund abortions.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
We must support life.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Rep. Lauer co-authored HB1002 which lowers the income tax for all Hoosiers over 7% to the lowest income tax rate in the country for states that have income tax. The largest tax cut in Indiana history also includes business personal property tax relief, ending utility bill taxes, and paying off significant amount of debt. Ryan agrees that as Indiana does well economically, Hoosiers should get back more of their hard earned money with tax relief.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Indiana continues to have a balanced budget and Rep. Lauer has only voted for balanced budgets. Maintaining a conservative fiscal budget for Indiana is a top priority and being responsible with spending taxpayer dollars.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals and businesses should be forced to violate their religious beliefs.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this question should have been: "Strongly Disagree : Individuals and businesses should not be forced to violate their religious beliefs."
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government should never be able to close churches. The Constitution guarantees religious freedom and freedom of assembly which must be upheld and not violated by local, state or federal governments. Rep. Lauer supported Senate Bill 263 which passed in 2021 that prevents government from shutting down churches or assembling to worship even in a state of emergency and that churches are essential to stay open during an emergency.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
Government should not be involved in health care insurance and regulations should be rolled back to support the free market. Medicaid and Medicare should still be available for the promises made and previous taxes paid over a worker's lifetime. In general, the people would be better served the less government is involved in personal health care choices.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
In no cases. Rep. Lauer is a co-author of House Bill 1001 (2022) which passed into law which bans vaccine passports for all government units and public schools and universities, and requires businesses accept exemptions for any vaccination requirements for religious and medical exemptions as well as recognizing natural immunity as an exemption as well.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
The US must remain ever vigilant in preventing radical Islamists and other extremists into our country. This requires full vetting at the border, entry points and all visa applicants. Additionally, it is imperative that we secure our borders and have visibility and security for all people seeking to enter our country.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
We should stand with Israel as the only democratic country in the Mideast and longtime ally and partner with the US.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We must have legal immigration only and stop all illegal immigration. We should only allow people to immigrate based on merit and self-sufficiency and not allow any government subsidies for immigrants.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Rep. Ryan Lauer was a co-author on House Bill 1005 (2021) which was incorporated into the budget (HB 1001) and passed into law which expanded school choice across the state to more than 90% eligibility for all Hoosier children, and additionally created Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for children with disabilities so all kids can have options and school choice available to them. Rep. Lauer has been a strong and public advocate for school choice and quality education for all.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
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
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Rep. Lauer supported House Bill 1134 (2022) which passed the House and bans teaching divisive topics in classrooms including CRT. These political ideologies are harmful to our progress as a society and have no place in any K-12 classrooms.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in one God, maker of all things, and in Jesus Christ the only son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I am an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus and served as President of the Church Council for three terms over 6 years.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Rep. Lauer continues to support our current laws to require photo ID and supports expanding protections to our election process to maintain strong election integrity for our elections.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Rep. Lauer supported legislation to improve security of mail in ballots, require a paper trail on all systems, and ensure audits for our election equipment.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
(A). Rep. Lauer supports smart deregulation and has consistently voted to ensure we maintain conservation and the beauty of our state but remove burdensome environmental regulations that stifle farmers and businesses.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Rep. Lauer believes it's important to utilize all our natural resources and become energy independent once again.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government should be limited and adhere to only the powers granted to it in the Constitution. Our federal bureaucracy is out of control and needs significant adjustment to bring government back to it's intended role under the Constitution and the states to provide the rest.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Rep. Lauer received an award for Conservative Excellence from the American Conservative Union (ACU), sponsors of CPAC. Press articles: https://www.therepublic.com/2021/12/01/lauer-co-authors-legislation-to-end-pandemic-state-public-health-emergency/ https://www.therepublic.com/2022/01/07/lawful-carry-bill-easily-moves-through-house-committee-but-some-have-reservations/ https://www.therepublic.com/2022/01/29/legislators-support-controversial-curriculum-bill/ https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/news/press-releases/lauer-highlights-new-indiana-laws-effective-july-1/
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
It is my highest honor to server the people of Indiana and my constituents. I will continue to work hard to serve the people honestly, earnestly and with integrity.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We must fund and support the men and women in blue who protect and serve our communities.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We should not be restricting our 2nd Amendment rights. Rep. Lauer is a co-author of House Bill 1077 (2022) which removes the requirement to be permitted to lawfully carry a firearm. This legislation is commonly known as Constitutional carry or Lawful carry.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
