Jake Teshka

Republican | Indiana

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Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, -2010

Indiana University South Bend, South Bend, Master of Public Affairs, -2013

WORK & MILITARY

R Yoder Construction, Business Development

AFFILIATIONS

South Bend History Museum Board of Directors, Member

Indiana Republican Party, 2nd District Vice Chair

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

South Bend City Council, District 5, 2018-2020

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)

*National Rifle Association NRA-PVF

Stand For Health Freedom

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (13)

State Republican Party Organizations (2026)

Elise Nieshalla (2025)

Dale DeVon (2024)

Donald Trump (2024)

Young Republican National Federation (2024)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (34)

ACE Cash Express (2026)

Chuck Goodrich (2026)

Delivering the Difference for Indiana (2025)

GOPAC (2025)

Hoosiers for Great Public Schools (2025)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Stand for Children (2025)

Taft Stettinius & Hollister (2023)

OTHER INFORMATION

Jake Teshka completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022.

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?

Life of the mother


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.

Disagree

Governments can help create conditions in which everyone has a livable income, but they should not be the sole genesis of that income.

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

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

I believe that government can be run more efficiently. By reducing its size and complexity, the state can save money. Additionally, the state needs to press program integrity within Medicaid where the budget has ballooned recently.


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?

The Constitution ensures that in the United States, there will be no state-established religion nor will anyone be forced to profess a certain religious belief system in order to have the full rights of a citizen under the law. What it does not and cannot mean is that I, as an elected official, have to check my faith, which is central to my worldview and values system, at the statehouse door.


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 that increased competition in the insurance marketplace will ultimately lead to more affordable access for all Hoosiers. Competition would force bloated plan administrators and systems to right size in order to offer quality services to their customers at prices they can afford. There is a reason why the only medical services that have decreased in cost over the past few decades are cash-pay, elective services where consumers shop and providers compete on advertised price.


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?

I believe our immigration system should prioritize individuals who will be productive members or our society and that the laws should be structured in a way that promotes maximum assimilation. We cannot survive long as a nation if we end up as pockets of vastly different people groups with no sense of social cohesion.


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.

Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. I hold a biblical worldview and maintain what most would call traditional values.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College was a brilliant idea by our Founders to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Racism is abhorrent and incompatible with both a biblical worldview and American values. Though our nation has a sad history with racism, I believe that we have structurally overcome most of those challenges and that the American Left, through an obsession with race, has caused backward momentum in race relations over the past decade.


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 an 84% lifetime rating according to the most recent metrics form the American Conservative Union and have consistently earned a 100% voting record as measured by the Indiana Family Institute.

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

I am a three-term incumbent for House District 7. Prior to serving in the House, I served on City Council.

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?

Did not answer


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

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

The current federal background checks at time of purchase are sufficient.


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?

1. Ensuring that students are not receiving mental health counseling at school without parental consent 2. Limiting and focusing student screentime during the school day - tiered by grade. 3. Legislation to create conditions in which housing becomes more affordable.

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