Election Action Plan

Indiana General Assembly & Governor Ratings

Watchdog Indiana Home Page Legislative Voting Record 11/02/04 Candidate Questionnaire 05/04/04 Candidate Questionnaire 11/05/02 Candidate Questionnaire 05/07/02 Candidate Questionnaire Prior Candidate Ratings 2008 Contested Primary Elections

Watchdog Indiana provides the only ratings of state legislators and the governor based on how their votes on key legislative proposals from 2002 to the present affect the state and local tax burden of Hoosier working families. Additional ratings information has also been obtained from the following sources: Candidate Questionnaire for the November 7, 2006, General Election responses; Candidate Questionnaire for the May 2, 2006, Primary Election responses; Candidate Questionnaire for the November 2, 2004, General Election responses; Candidate Questionnaire for the May 4, 2004, Primary Election responses; Candidate Questionnaire for the November 5, 2002, General Election responses; Candidate Questionnaire for the May 7, 2002, Primary Election responses; and other sources (such as public comments during legislative sessions and campaign platform statements).

Watchdog Indiana candidate ratings are also available for prior Indiana General Assembly candidates (starting with the 2006 primary election) at Prior Candidate Ratings.

Listed next are the Watchdog Indiana ratings for each General Assembly member and the Governor in alphabetical order according to rating category. Go to Who's Your Legislator? at http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/legislator/search/ to identify your State Representative and State Senator.

Click on the names of your State Representative, State Senator, and the Governor to access individual Watchdog Indiana web pages that contain details regarding their Watchdog Indiana rating. Information on how to personally contact your state legislators is also included.

NOTE: The In-Session Toll-Free Phone Number for the Indiana House of Representatives is 800-382-9842. The In-Session General-Access Phone Numbers for the Indiana Senate are 800-382-9467 and 317-232-9400. The In-Session Direct Phone Numbers for individual State Representatives and State Senators can be found at http://www.in.gov/serv/sic_phonebook. The phone number on the individual Watchdog Indiana web page for each State Representative and State Senator is the Out-Of-Session Phone Number.

Taxpayer Friendly state legislators are results-oriented, compassionate, and fiscally conservative to the point where the state and local tax burden of Hoosier working families is not increased.
Taxpayer Friendly State Representatives (20): Bruce A. Borders (Jasonville), Woody Burton (Greenwood), David Cheatham (North Vernon), Bill J. Davis (Portland), Jon Elrod (Indianapolis), David N. Frizzell (Indianapolis), Timothy W. Harris (Marion), Tom Knollman (Liberty), Eric Allan Koch (Bedford), Richard W. McClain (Logansport), Joe Micon (West Lafayette), Michael B. Murphy (Indianapolis), Cindy Noe (Indianapolis), David Orentlicher (Indianapolis), Phyllis J. Pond (New Haven), Milo Smith (Columbus), Greg Steuerwald (Avon), Jeff Thompson (Lizton), Vern Tincher (Riley), Shelli VanDenburgh (Crown Point).
Taxpayer Friendly State Senators (5): Mike Delph (Westfield), Patricia L. Miller (Indianapolis), Ryan D. Mishler (Bremen), R. Michael Young (Indianapolis), Brent Waltz (Greenwood).

Taxpayer UNfriendly state legislators (and the governor) believe the greatest good is served when the fist of government is shoved ever deeper in the wallet of ordinary working families.
Taxpayer UNfriendly State Representatives (18): Terri Jo Austin (Anderson), Dennis T. Avery (Evansville), Jeb Bardon (Indianapolis), John Bartlett (Indianapolis), Kreg Battles (Vincennes), Tim Brown (Crawfordsville), Robert W. (Bob) Cherry (Greenfield), Ryan M. Dvorak (South Bend), Ralph M. Foley (Martinsville), Craig R. Fry (Mishawaka), Phil GiaQuinta (Fort Wayne), Eric Gutwein (Rensselaer), Ron Herrell (Kokomo), Win Moses, Jr. (Fort Wayne), Timothy Neese (Elkhart), Paul J. Robertson (Depauw), Thomas E. (Tom) Saunders (Lewisville), Dennis Tyler (Muncie).
Taxpayer UNfriendly State Senators (14): Jim Arnold (LaPorte), Vaneta G. Becker (Evansville), Jean Breaux (Indianapolis), Sue Errington (Muncie), Travis Holdman (Markle), Robert N. Jackman (Milroy), Tim Lanane (Anderson), Robert L. Meeks (LaGrange), Johnny Nugent (Lawrenceburg), Allen E. Paul (Richmond), Marvin D. Riegsecker (Goshen), Earline S. Rogers (Gary), Karen Tallian (Portage), Thomas K. Weatherwax (Logansport).

A POLITICAL HOG is a Taxpayer UNfriendly state legislator who also voted himself or herself a perpetual pay increase that is 20% more than the typical Hoosier working family earns during an entire year. POLITICAL HOGS care more about feeding at the public trough than they do serving the needs of Hoosier working families.
POLITICAL HOG State Representatives (33): B. Patrick Bauer (South Bend), Matt Bell (Avilla), Brian C. Bosma (Indianapolis), Charlie Brown (Gary), William A. Crawford (Indianapolis), Dave Crooks (Washington), Chester F. Dobis (Merrillville), Cleo Duncan (Greensburg), Jeffrey K. Espich (Uniondale), William C. Friend (Macy), F. Dale Grubb (Covington), Earl L. Harris (East Chicago), George Philip Hoy (Evansville), Clyde Kersey (Terre Haute), Sheila J. Klinker (Lafayette), Linda C. Lawson (Hammond), Daniel J. (Dan) Leonard (Huntington), Dennie Oxley (Milltown), Scott D. Pelath (Michigan City), Phillip Pflum (Milton), Matt Pierce (Bloomington), Gregory W. Porter (Indianapolis), Scott Reske (Pendleton), Kathy K. Richardson (Noblesville), Michael A. Ripley (Monroe), Vernon G. Smith (Gary), Dan Stevenson, Sr. (Highland), Russ Stilwell (Boonville), Marlin A. Stutzman (Howe), Vanessa J. Summers (Indianapolis), Trent Van Haaften (Mt. Vernon), Peggy Welch (Bloomington), David A. Wolkins (Winona Lake).
POLITICAL HOG State Senators (16): Ron Alting (Lafayette), Phillip L. (Phil) Boots (Crawfordsville), John E. Broden (South Bend), Bob Deig (Mt. Vernon), Glenn L. Howard (Indianapolis), Lindel O. Hume (Princeton), James (Jim) A. Lewis, Jr. (Charlestown), David C. Long (Ft. Wayne), Frank Mrvan, Jr. (Hammond), Vi Simpson (Bloomington), Connie Weigleb Sipes (New Albany), Timothy O. (Tim) Skinner (Terre Haute), Greg Walker (Columbus), John M. Waterman (Shelburn), Thomas J. Wyss (Fort Wayne), Richard D. Young (Milltown).

Some state legislators have an Uncertain rating because of a limited or mixed public record.
Uncertain Governor Mitch Daniels
Uncertain State Representatives (29): Robert W. Behning (Indianapolis), Robert J. Bischoff (Lawrenceburg), Sandra Blanton (Paoli), Randy Borror (Fort Wayne), Lawrence L. (Larry) Buell (Indianapolis), Mara Candelaria Reardon (Munster), William C. Cochran (New Albany), Suzanne Crouch (Evansville), John J. Day (Indianapolis), Nancy Dembowski (Knox), Tom Dermody (LaPorte), Richard "Dick" Dodge (Pleasant Lake), Sean R. Eberhart (Shelbyville), Terry Goodin (Crothersville), Phillip D. (Phil) Hinkle (Indianapolis), Don Lehe (Brookston), L. Jack Lutz (Anderson), Carolene Mays (Indianapolis), David L. Niezgodski (South Bend), William J. (Bill) Ruppel (North Manchester), Greg Simms (Valparaiso), Ed Soliday (Valparaiso), Steven R. Stemler (Jeffersonville), Amos Thomas (Brazil), Gerald R. (Jerry) Torr (Carmel), P. Eric Turner (Marion), John D. Ulmer (Goshen), Heath Van Natter (Kokomo), Jackie Walorski (Lakeville).
Uncertain State Senators (15): Richard D. Bray (Martinsville), Jim Buck (Kokomo), Ed Charbonneau (Valparaiso), Gary P. Dillon (Pierceton), Beverly J. Gard (Greenfield), Brandt Hershman (Wheatfield), Luke Kenley (Noblesville), Dennis K. Kruse (Auburn), Sue Landske (Cedar Lake), Connie Lawson (Danville), Teresa S. Lubbers (Indianapolis), James W. Merritt, Jr. (Indianapolis), Samuel Smith Jr. (East Chicago), Brent E. Steele (Bedford), Joseph C. Zakas (Granger).

The Watchdog Indiana ratings for all State Representatives and State Senators are listed below in District Number order.

NOTE: You need your State Representative and State Senate District Numbers to locate your public servants. You can go to Who's Your Legislator? at http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/legislator/search/ to find your Indiana House and Indiana Senate District Numbers.

Click on the names of your State Representative and State Senator to access individual web pages that contain details regarding their Watchdog Indiana rating. Information on how to personally contact your State Representative and State Senator is also included.

Indiana State Representatives (20 Taxpayer Friendly - 18 Taxpayer UNfriendly - 33 POLITICAL HOGS - 29 Uncertain)
1. Linda C. Lawson (POLITICAL HOG) 2. Earl L. Harris (POLITICAL HOG) 3. Charlie Brown (POLITICAL HOG) 4. Ed Soliday (Uncertain) 5. Craig R. Fry (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 6. B. Patrick Bauer (POLITICAL HOG) 7. David L. Niezgodski (Uncertain) 8. Ryan M. Dvorak (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 9. Scott D. Pelath (POLITICAL HOG) 10. Greg Simms (Uncertain) 11. Dan Stevenson, Sr. (POLITICAL HOG) 12. Mara Candelaria Reardon (Uncertain) 13. Chester F. Dobis (POLITICAL HOG) 14. Vernon G. Smith (POLITICAL HOG) 15. Don Lehe (Uncertain) 16. Eric Gutwein (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 17. Nancy Dembowski (Uncertain) 18. David A. Wolkins (POLITICAL HOG) 19. Shelli VanDenburgh (Taxpayer Friendly) 20. Tom Dermody (Uncertain) 21. Jackie Walorski (Uncertain) 22. William J. (Bill) Ruppel (Uncertain) 23. William C. Friend (POLITICAL HOG) 24. Richard W. McClain (Taxpayer Friendly) 25. Jeb Bardon (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 26. Joe Micon (Taxpayer Friendly) 27. Sheila J. Klinker (POLITICAL HOG) 28. Jeff Thompson (Taxpayer Friendly) 29. Kathy K. Richardson (POLITICAL HOG) 30. Ron Herrell (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 31. Timothy W. Harris (Taxpayer Friendly) 32. P. Eric Turner (Uncertain) 33. Bill J. Davis (Taxpayer Friendly) 34. Dennis Tyler (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 35. L. Jack Lutz (Uncertain) 36. Terri Jo Austin (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 37. Scott Reske (POLITICAL HOG) 38. Heath Van Natter (Uncertain) 39. Gerald R. (Jerry) Torr (Uncertain) 40. Greg Steuerwald (Taxpayer Friendly) 41. Tim Brown (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 42. F. Dale Grubb (POLITICAL HOG) 43. Clyde Kersey (POLITICAL HOG) 44. Amos Thomas (Uncertain) 45. Bruce A. Borders (Taxpayer Friendly) 46. Vern Tincher (Taxpayer Friendly) 47. Ralph M. Foley (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 48. Timothy Neese (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 49. John D. Ulmer (Uncertain) 50. Daniel J. (Dan) Leonard (POLITICAL HOG) 51. Richard "Dick" Dodge (Uncertain) 52. Marlin A. Stutzman (POLITICAL HOG) 53. Robert W. (Bob) Cherry (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 54. Thomas E. (Tom) Saunders (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 55. Tom Knollman (Taxpayer Friendly) 56. Phillip Pflum (POLITICAL HOG) 57. Sean R. Eberhart (Uncertain) 58. Woody Burton (Taxpayer Friendly) 59. Milo Smith (Taxpayer Friendly) 60. Peggy Welch (POLITICAL HOG) 61. Matt Pierce (POLITICAL HOG) 62. Sandra Blanton (Uncertain) 63. Dave Crooks (POLITICAL HOG) 64. Kreg Battles (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 65. Eric Allan Koch (Taxpayer Friendly) 66. Terry Goodin (Uncertain) 67. Cleo Duncan (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 68. Robert J. Bischoff (Uncertain) 69. David Cheatham (Taxpayer Friendly) 70. Paul J. Robertson (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 71. Steven R. Stemler (Uncertain) 72. William C. Cochran (Uncertain) 73. Dennie Oxley (POLITICAL HOG) 74. Russ Stilwell (POLITICAL HOG) 75. Dennis T. Avery (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 76. Trent Van Haaften (POLITICAL HOG) 77. George Philip Hoy (POLITICAL HOG) 78. Suzanne Crouch (Uncertain) 79. Michael A. Ripley (POLITICAL HOG) 80. Phil GiaQuinta (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 81. Win Moses, Jr. (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 82. Jeffrey K. Espich (POLITICAL HOG) 83. Matt Bell (POLITICAL HOG) 84. Randy Borror (Uncertain) 85. Phyllis J. Pond (Taxpayer Friendly) 86. David Orentlicher (Taxpayer Friendly) 87. Cindy Noe (Taxpayer Friendly) 88. Brian C. Bosma (POLITICAL HOG) 89. Lawrence L. (Larry) Buell (Uncertain) 90. Michael B. Murphy (Taxpayer Friendly) 91. Robert W. Behning (Uncertain) 92. Phillip D. (Phil) Hinkle (Uncertain) 93. David N. Frizzell (Taxpayer Friendly) 94. Carolene Mays (Uncertain) 95. John Bartlett (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 96. Gregory W. Porter (POLITICAL HOG) 97. Jon Elrod (Taxpayer Friendly) 98. William A. Crawford (POLITICAL HOG) 99. Vanessa J. Summers (POLITICAL HOG) 100. John J. Day (Uncertain)

Indiana State Senators (5 Taxpayer Friendly - 14 Taxpayer UNfriendly - 16 POLITICAL HOGS - 15 Uncertain)
1. Frank Mrvan, Jr. (POLITICAL HOG) 2. Samuel Smith, Jr. (Uncertain) 3. Earline S. Rogers (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 4. Karen Tallian (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 5. Ed Charbonneau (Uncertain) 6. Sue Landske (Uncertain) 7. Brandt Hershman (Uncertain) 8. Jim Arnold (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 9. Ryan D. Mishler (Taxpayer Friendly) 10. John E. Broden (POLITICAL HOG) 11. Joseph C. Zakas (Uncertain) 12. Marvin D. Riegsecker (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 13. Robert L. Meeks (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 14. Dennis K. Kruse (Uncertain) 15. Thomas J. Wyss (POLITICAL HOG) 16. David C. Long (POLITICAL HOG) 17. Gary P. Dillon (Uncertain) 18. Thomas K. Weatherwax (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 19. Travis Holdman (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 20. Luke Kenley (Uncertain) 21. Jim Buck (Uncertain) 22. Ron Alting (POLITICAL HOG) 23. Phillip L. (Phil) Boots (POLITICAL HOG) 24. Connie Lawson (Uncertain) 25. Tim Lanane (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 26. Sue Errington (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 27. Allen E. Paul (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 28. Beverly J. Gard (Uncertain) 29. Mike Delph (Taxpayer Friendly) 30. Teresa S. Lubbers (Uncertain) 31. James W. Merritt, Jr. (Uncertain) 32. Patricia L. Miller (Taxpayer Friendly) 33. Glenn L. Howard (POLITICAL HOG) 34. Jean Breaux (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 35. R. Michael Young (Taxpayer Friendly) 36. Brent Waltz (Taxpayer Friendly) 37. Richard D. Bray (Uncertain) 38. Timothy O. (Tim) Skinner (POLITICAL HOG) 39. John M. Waterman (POLITICAL HOG) 40. Vi Simpson (POLITICAL HOG) 41. Greg Walker (POLITICAL HOG) 42. Robert N. Jackman (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 43. Johnny Nugent (Taxpayer UNfriendly) 44. Brent E. Steele (Uncertain) 45. James (Jim) A. Lewis, Jr. (POLITICAL HOG) 46. Connie Weigleb Sipes (POLITICAL HOG) 47. Richard D. Young (POLITICAL HOG) 48. Lindel O. Hume (POLITICAL HOG) 49. Bob Deig (POLITICAL HOG) 50. Vaneta G. Becker (Taxpayer UNfriendly)

This page was last updated on 08/19/08.