Adams County, Indiana

Indiana House District 79

2 candidates are tracked for Indiana House District 79 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ian G. Richardson and Matthew S. Lehman. Candidate information follows official Adams County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Ian G. Richardson (Democratic), Matthew S. Lehman (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 79; Matthew S. Lehman is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Matthew S. Lehman, is on the ballot.

Indiana › Adams County › Indiana House District 79

Ian G. Richardson

Democratic

Top priorities

Supports raising the minimum wage
Supports added childcare tax credits and expanded education spending
Supports lowering the cost of medical care and medications

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ian G. Richardson is the Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 79, based in Bluffton, per his campaign site. He has worked in retail pharmacy at CVS, per his campaign site. Richardson's campaign focuses on wages, health care costs, and education funding, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Matthew S. Lehman

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Supports a taxpayer-friendly, pro-business economic environment
Supports continuing to strengthen Indiana's education system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Matthew S. Lehman is the Republican incumbent for Indiana House District 79, serving since 2008 and currently the Majority Floor Leader, per Indiana House Republicans. He is an insurance agent and president of Bixler Insurance Inc. in Berne, per Indiana House Republicans. Lehman previously served on the Adams County Council from 1994 to 2008, per Indiana House Republicans. His campaign site says he is working toward a taxpayer-friendly, pro-business economy and a strong education system, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Indiana House District 79 in 2026?

When is the Indiana House District 79 election in Indiana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Indiana are on the Indiana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Adams County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Adams County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Indiana election office, or see the full Adams County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Adams County ballot

2 tracked races in Adams County, Indiana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

See all 2 Adams County races

Candidate profiles

Ian G. Richardson, full profile Matthew S. Lehman, full profile Official Indiana election office