Eight candidates are running in the Republican primary for Indiana’s 3rd Congressional Districton May 7, 2024. Four lead in fundraising and endorsements: Wendy W. Davis (R), Tim Smith (R), Marlin A. Stutzman (R), and Andy Zay (R).
This is the first open race in the district since 2016. Incumbent Jim Banks (R) is running for the U.S. Senate. As of March 5, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election Solid Republican. Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the general election Safe Republican. These ratings indicate it is likely that the candidate who wins the Republican primary will also win the general election.
Davis served as a judge for the Allen County Circuit Court and later the Allen County Superior Court. Davis said her experience on the bench inspired her to run for Congress: “As a Judge, it was my duty to remain impartial and unbiased, so I could only react to the problems I saw. I’m ready to be proactive and go to Washington to actually solve the problems facing Hoosiers in the 3rd District, and America as a whole.” Value in Electing Women PAC and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) endorsed Davis.
Smith’s professional experience includes work at the malpractice insurance company MedPro Group and as the CEO of the nonprofit organization Lasting Change, Inc. Smith said he is “a businessman, not a career politician that will conform to the demands of Washington’s political elite.” Smith has raised $1,060,007, the most of all candidates running. His total includes a $900,000 loan he made to his campaign.
Stutzman represented the 3rd District in Congress from 2010 to 2017 but ran for the U.S. Senate in 2016. In the Republican primary, then-Rep. Todd Young defeated Stutzman 67.1% to 32.9%. Stutzman said district voters “know my strong, conservative record, so they know that in me, they will have an America-first champion who is tough enough to fight for them in Washington.” The House Freedom Fund and the Congressional Freedom Caucus PAC endorsed Stutzman.
Zay is a member of the Indiana State Senate. He said his legislative experience would help him successfully fight for the district in Congress: “The process of knowing how committees work, knowing how amendments work, moving legislation, moving good ideas forward that become policy that’s good for everyone is a critical component of my background that will help.” Former U.S. Rep. Terry Miller (R-Ind.) endorsed Zay.
Also running in the primary are Grant Bucher (R), Michael Felker (R), Jon Kenworthy (R), and Eric Whalen (R).
