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Portrait of James R. BairdPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

IN · Officeholder

James R. Baird

RU.S. Representative · IN-4

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · Indiana's 4th District

Biography

Jim Baird is the Republican incumbent for Indiana's 4th District, a Vietnam War veteran, farmer and Purdue-educated animal nutritionist who served as a Putnam County commissioner and in the Indiana House before his 2018 election to Congress. He sits on the Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs committees.[1][2]

Baird was born in Fountain County, Indiana, in 1945, and his official biography describes him as a lifelong resident of West Central Indiana.[1][2] He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in animal science from Purdue University in 1967 and 1969, and, after returning from Vietnam, a doctorate in monogastric nutrition from the University of Kentucky in 1975.[1][2] He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972. His official biography describes him as a decorated Vietnam War veteran awarded a Bronze Star with V device and two Purple Hearts, and says his unit was inducted into the United States Transportation Corps Hall of Fame.[1][2]

Before entering politics, Baird ran a home healthcare agency and a family farm and worked as a small business owner.[1][2] He served as Putnam County commissioner from 2006 to 2010, then in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, including on the Ways and Means Committee, according to his official biography.[1][2]

Baird was elected to the U.S. House in 2018. In the 119th Congress he serves on the Committee on Agriculture, where he is Vice Chair of the Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology subcommittee, and on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.[1][2] He won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary with 60.5% of the vote.[3] According to his official biography, Baird is an active or former member of the Rotary Club of Greencastle, the Putnam County Fair and 4-H Club Association, VFW, American Legion and Indiana Farm Bureau, and served on the advisory council for Purdue University's Dean of Agriculture. He is married to Danise, and they have three children.[2]

  1. 1.James Baird · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Biography · Office of Rep. Jim Baird · 2026-10-21 Official record
  3. 3.Drew Cox · Drew Cox campaign website / Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-04-15 Candidate's own words

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. House · Indiana's 4th District ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

David BokashCandidateINDU.S. House · IN-4IndianaDrew CoxCandidateDU.S. House · IN-4Indiana

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 10 of 450 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (9), Climate & energy (8), Foreign affairs & defense (2)

  • Amendment (Harrigan) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that bars Defense Department funds for automated speed enforcement cameras on military installations and requires removing existing ones within 180 days. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 17–196, Republicans 215–2

    Jul 22, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Scholten) to H.R. 7567 — Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

    A yes vote adopted, as modified, Part B Amendment No. 39 to H.R. 7567, revising the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority program, including a definition of precision agriculture and added goals such as water conservation and drought resilience. (AI-written)

    What it does: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 This bill (commonly known as the farm bill) reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs that address commodity support, conservation, trade…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 213–0, Republicans 19–194

    Apr 30, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Crane) to H.R. 7006 — Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote adopted Amendment 2 to H.R. 7006, which would have struck the bill's provisions funding the National Endowment for Democracy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–210, Republicans 127–80

    Jan 14, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Perry) to H.R. 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 32 to the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which strikes all funding for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Rec…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–209, Republicans 127–87

    Sep 4, 2025Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Perry) to H.R. 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 31 to the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which cuts $2,063,381 from the Great Lakes Authority and credits it to the spending reduction account. (AI-written)

    What it does: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Rec…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–207, Republicans 120–94

    Sep 4, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE

Retire through Ownership Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 401–14·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9497 · U.S. HOUSE

Water Resources Development Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 415–9·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. HOUSE

Ratepayer Protection Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 417–3·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 213 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 214–208·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 10326 · U.S. HOUSE

PROOF Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 217–207·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9576 · U.S. HOUSE

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 352–72·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 5334 · U.S. HOUSE

An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments

A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 262–159·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.Con.Res. 93 · U.S. HOUSE

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran

NoVOTED

Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 220–204·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 210 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 216–211·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9500 · U.S. HOUSE

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 408–17·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 634 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.