When Mike Braun stepped down from his Indiana House seat to launch an ultimately successful run for the U.S. Senate, Shane Lindauer stepped up.

Lindauer, a Jasper native, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University and bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from Logan College of Chiropractic in Missouri. He has been a member of the Indiana and Missouri national guards, has owned chiropractic and salvage businesses and served on the Dubois County Council.

Neither Lindauer nor Braun has faced a serious election challenge in the southwestern Indiana district. Appointed to the District 63 seat in October 2017, Lindauer was elected in 2018 by a 2-to-1 margin over Democrat Joseph Lannan. His margin over Democrat Teresa Kendall was closer to 3-to-1.

District 63 includes parts of Dubois, Daviess, Martin and Pike counties. Settled in the early 1800s by German immigrants (especially Dubois County), the area is home to agricultural and wood furniture industries and is known for conservative values and a strong family orientation. The largely rural district is reliably Republican:

Lindauer’s campaign platform is to be “pro-life and pro-Second Amendment,” and he favors small government with “as much local control as possible.” In the 2020 session, he was one of two House members to vote against a bill requiring schools to test their water for lead and copper contaminants, and was among a majority of House Republicans who tried unsuccessfully to remove rape and incest as exceptions to the 2022 abortion ban; he voted for the ban with the exceptions intact on its final passage. — Steve Hinnefeld

Key Votes

SB 198-2019 (Sentencing, bias crimes). Allowed longer sentences in crimes based on personal characteristics, stripped of references to sexual orientation, gender identity and race. Yes

SB 516-2019 (Regulation of hemp). Allowed cultivation and regulation of hemp products in Indiana, did not change marijuana laws. Yes

HB 1001-2019 (State budget). Set funding for state agencies and services, including 2.5% annual increases for education, though not directly for teacher salaries. Yes

HB 1004-2019 (School safety). Increased access to funding for security systems and resource officers, was stripped of provisions for mental health screening. Yes

HB 1015-2019 (Various gaming matters). Allowed sports betting statewide and table games in more casinos, relocated a casino in Gary and authorizing a new one in Terre Haute. Yes

SB 1-2020 (Tobacco and vaping). Raised from 18 to 21 the legal age to buy tobacco or vaping products in Indiana. No

SB 148-2020 (Zoning and housing matters). Was amended to overrule local tenant protection measures like those in Indianapolis, Bloomington and Merrillville. Vetoed by governor. Yes

HB 1004-2020 (Health matters). Controlled surprise billing for out-of-network and other costs. Yes

HB 1070-2020 (Distracted driving). Made it an infraction to handle a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Yes

HB 1414-2020 (Electric generation). Prohibited utilities from closing coal-fired generating plants without permission from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Yes

Group Ratings

Professional career

Chiropractor, part owner of family salvage and chiropractic businesses

Education

• Doctorate, Chiropractic, Logan College of Chiropractic, 2001-2004
• BS, Health and Human Services, Logan College of Chiropractic, 2001-2002
• BS, Industrial Supervision Technology, Indiana State University, 1992-1996

Top Contributors

Committees

Family, Children and Human Affairs; Public Health (vice chair); Natural Resources; Roads and Transportation.

District

Population: 65,327

Race/ethic origin: 95.7% White, 0.4% Black, 0.5% Asian, 2.5% Other, 0.9% Two or More, 4.1% Hispanic, 94.2% White Non-Hispanic.

Profession