Incumbent
IN-04 Republican nominee?
$11.5K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age81 years old (Jun 4, 1945)
GenderMale
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LocationIndiana
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationPurdue University (B.S., Animal Science)
Notable personal detailsJames Richard Baird is a Republican U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, first elected in 2018 and serving since January 3, 2019. Before Congress, he served as a Putnam County commissioner (2006–2010) and in the Indiana House of Representatives (2010–2018). He is a Vietnam War veteran and a farmer and small business owner. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Purdue University and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports large tax cuts for individuals and businesses, voted for legislation described as delivering major historic tax relief, and backs extending Trump-era tax cuts while supporting reduced spending on some social programs. Advocates protections for farmers and family businesses from estate-tax increases and favors policies framed as reducing tax burdens and cutting federal spending.
Healthcare
Supports market-based healthcare reforms that expand competition and consumer-directed options (e.g., Health Freedom/Health Savings Account–style proposals) and advocates changes to the Affordable Care Act rather than single-payer or Medicare-for-All.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border enforcement and measures to comply with federal immigration enforcement, while expressing some openness to legal pathways such as visa-cap increases or addressing DACA recipients. Emphasis in recent activity is on honoring ICE detainers, enhancing enforcement, and supporting border security measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Jim Baird supports restrictions on abortion and opposes taxpayer-funded abortion; he has cosponsored federal pro-life legislation and has been endorsed by Indiana Right to Life. His public statements and press releases emphasize blocking federal actions that expand abortion access and protecting the unborn while allowing for policy limits rather than articulating support for an absolute ban.
Climate & Energy
Supports market-driven energy approaches and policies that favor agricultural and domestic energy interests while engaging on targeted clean-energy areas (for example, sustainable aviation fuels). Has backed measures that reduce conservation program funding and has opposed some renewable energy incentives. Serves on House committees related to energy and agriculture that shape research and energy policy.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports broad Second Amendment rights and opposes federal expansions of gun restrictions such as universal/expanded background checks and provisions in recent federal gun-safety bills; favors enforcement of existing laws and mental-health supports over new federal gun-control measures.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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