Who is running for State House District 71 in Indiana in 2026?

Wendy Dant Chesser (D), James R. McClure, Jr. (R)

When is the Indiana 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Indiana › Races › State House District 71

State House District 71 — Indiana 2026

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Indiana Election Division list, as of October 22, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

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Candidates

DWendy Dant ChesserDemocratic

Incumbent Democratic state representative for District 71.

LifeFFamilyDReligious libertyD2nd AmendmentCLimited gov’tDFiscalC

Endorsed by Planned Parenthood, 33% on the IFI 2026 scorecard and rated Leans Liberal by iVoterGuide; voted yes on SB 1 (2025) property-tax relief; no NRA rating.

Life: Endorsed for 2026 by Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates-Indiana PAC, signaling support for abortion access.
Family: No captured votes on family/gender bills; Leans Liberal iVoterGuide rating and Democratic affiliation suggest opposition.
Religious liberty: Scored 33% on the Indiana Family Institute 2026 scorecard, voting against IFI on HB 1389 religious-liberty protections for adoption/foster providers.
2nd Amendment: No NRA-PVF questionnaire returned (unrated); no gun-policy vote captured.
Limited gov’t: No school-choice vote captured; graded on Democratic affiliation.
Fiscal: Voted yes on SB 1 (2025) property-tax relief.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Ballotpedia

BJames R. McClure, Jr.Republican

Candidate for State Representative, District 71 (Republican).

LifeBFamilyBReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentBLimited gov’tBFiscalB

IRTL-endorsed and rated Conservative by iVoterGuide; no NRA questionnaire returned and no voting record.

Life: Endorsed by Indiana Right to Life PAC for 2026; no voting record.
Family: No specific positions found; Conservative iVoterGuide rating and Republican affiliation suggest support.
Religious liberty: No specific positions found; rated Conservative by iVoterGuide.
2nd Amendment: No NRA-PVF questionnaire returned (unrated); graded on Republican affiliation.
Limited gov’t: No specific positions found; graded on Republican affiliation.
Fiscal: No specific positions found; graded on Republican affiliation.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Ballotpedia

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