
Paula K. Copenhaver
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Paula K. Copenhaver
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senator, District 23
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington
Ball State University, Certification, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
Water Well Drilling, Inc., Owner, 13 years
Rosenthal Greives, O'Bryan and Meyer, Legal Secretary, 3 years
Heritage Healthcare, Personnel, 2 years
Stay-at-home Mom, 9 years
AFFILIATIONS
Spirit of Life Ministries, volunteer, worship leader, pianist and more
Indiana Federation of Republican Women, 2012-2026
Fountain County Republican Woman's Club, President, 2014-2019
Home School Co-Op Teacher, 2003-2016
Educator, US History & US Constitution, 2012-2022
Fountain County Republican Chairman, 2023-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Fountain County Circuit Court Clerk, 2016-2022
Covington City Council, 2024-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Indiana Senate, District 23, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
President Donald J. Trump
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
Republican Womens Organizations (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
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?
All life is precious.
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.
Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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" means the government shall not make a law as to what church or religion you should worship. The history of the term "separation of church and state" can be found in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association from Thomas Jefferson regarding their concerns. It is not in our US Constitution or other founding documents.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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?
Anything the government tries to fix usually creates a bigger problem. Let doctors treat their patients based on their expertise and the free market.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Indiana has a balanced budget. Government finances should always be audited for fraud and wasteful spending and reevaluated to be sure it is accountable to the taxpayer.
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?
Anyone seeking the ideals of the American way of life and freedom willing to take an oath to God and a duty to uphold the American way of life that the United States was founded upon should be allowed to immigrate to the US.
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment guarantees our rights to keep and bear arms.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
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
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.
Did not answer
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
N/A
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I will continue to support and uphold the US Constitution and the Indiana Constitution, put Indiana first, push back against government overreach and push for commonsense property tax relief, fight back against radical green energy scams, defend the Second Amendment, support law enforcement, protect life, ensure election integrity, promote jobs and economic growth, and continue to teach truth and defend conservative principles.
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 Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in the Word of God in it's entirety, even the scriptures I do not understand. We must have a standard in which to live by.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I don't see racism as a domestic security threat to the United States. That doesn't mean there aren't groups or organizations who promote racism, which I wholly disagree with. There is no room for racism.
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