How to use this guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Choose the two or three that matter most to you.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House votes on every federal law and the federal budget; bills that raise revenue must start there. Statewide ballot measures change the Indiana Constitution.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then check their own words, endorsements, and funding.

Indiana's 2021 congressional map remains in force for 2026, so District 3's boundaries are the same as in 2024, according to the Indiana General Assembly. Indiana law orders party columns by each party's county vote for secretary of state in the last election, with the highest-vote party listed first. The official Allen County sample ballot was not available at the time this guide was prepared, so the printed candidate order could not be confirmed; candidates appear here in alphabetical order by last name: Marlin Stutzman (R), then Kelly Thompson (D). ​

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The U.S. House race

What this office does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. Indiana's 2021 congressional map remains in force for 2026, so District 3's lines are the same as they were in 2024. Local coverage has focused on federal regulation of AI and data centers — connected to farmland, energy costs, and potential jobs in the region — and on affordability and inflation as the leading voter concerns heading into the election. The 270towin consensus rates the race Solid Republican.

Candidates in brief

| | Marlin Stutzman | Kelly Thompson |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Party | Republican | Democrat |
| Incumbent? | Yes | No |
| Background | Fourth-generation farmer from Howe, Indiana; served in the Indiana House 2002–2008, Indiana Senate 2009–2010, U.S. House 2010–2016, and returned in 2025 | Co-owner of a concrete contracting company serving Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, and Western Ohio; founded a nonprofit for at-risk youth focused on teen suicide prevention; BS in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida |
| Top priorities | Eliminating inflation and building a healthy economy; finishing the border wall and strengthening border security; improving education and parental rights; healthcare and medical freedom; government transparency; support for law enforcement and veterans | Fair wages, better tax structure, housing and healthcare that works for all; Medicare for All; funding education; ending U.S. wars in the Middle East; making corporate polluters pay |
| Campaign website | gomarlin.com | kellythompsonforcongress.com |

Where they stand

| Issue | Marlin Stutzman | Kelly Thompson |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Cost of living | Says housing costs can be lowered by increasing supply and reducing regulatory red tape; supports tax relief for families | Supports universal childcare, universal healthcare, education investments, and opposes tariffs imposed without congressional approval |
| Healthcare | campaign lists healthcare and medical health freedom among its issues; no specific healthcare position was found | Supports Medicare for All, a national health insurance program covering every American |
| Housing | Says he worked to pass the 21st Century Road to Housing Act and supported including his Streamlining Rural Housing Act to increase supply and reduce building costs | Proposes federal assistance for homeowners facing climate-related insurance increases and a fund financed by major fossil-fuel companies for resilience and community projects |
| Immigration | Campaign supports finishing the border wall and strengthening border security | Not found |
| Abortion | Campaign lists "Defending the Unborn" as an issue | Not found |
| Climate and energy | Not found | Supports expanding solar, wind, geothermal, energy efficiency, and energy storage; prioritizes developed land for renewable projects when possible |
| Foreign policy | Not found | Supports requiring Congress to approve sustained military conflicts and redirecting resources from permanent war toward domestic investment |
| Data centers and AI | Not found | Wants a pause on data center development while a better approach is designed; calls for regulation and education on AI |
| Affordability and inflation | Marlin Stutzman's campaign lists eliminating inflation and building a healthy economy as issues | Supports universal childcare, universal healthcare, and education investments; opposes tariffs imposed without congressional approval |

Questionnaires and debates

Marlin Stutzman declined WFYI/WBOI's interview request and did not provide personal information for that voter guide. Stutzman responded to the Indiana Capital Chronicle voter guide. No response was found for Vote411 or Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

Kelly Thompson responded to the WFYI/WBOI voter guide, the Indiana Capital Chronicle voter guide, and Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. No response was found for Vote411.

No debates were found for this race. The WANE 15 television station posed five written questions to both candidates; responses from both were published.

Endorsements

| Candidate | Endorser | Category | Source |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| Marlin Stutzman | Donald Trump | Executive branch / federal officials | VoteHub |
| Marlin Stutzman | Freedom Caucus Fund | Organizations | Freedom Caucus Fund |
| Marlin Stutzman | U.S. Chamber of Commerce | Organizations | U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
| Marlin Stutzman | AIPAC | Organizations | AIPAC |
| Marlin Stutzman | NRA Political Victory Fund | Organizations | NRA Political Victory Fund |
| Kelly Thompson | Indiana State AFL-CIO | Labor unions | Indiana State AFL-CIO |
| Kelly Thompson | National Organization for Women | Organizations | National Organization for Women |

Who is funding them

The figures for Marlin Stutzman and Kelly Thompson run through Oct. 14, 2026.

| Metric | Marlin Stutzman | Kelly Thompson |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------- | -------------- |
| Total raised | $1.0 million | $0.3 million |
| Small donors (under $200) | 18% | 49% |
| Larger donors (over $200) | 34% | 46% |
| PACs and other committees | 48% | 0% |
| Party committees | 0% | 0% |
| Self-funding | $0 (0%) | $18,000 (5%) |
| Transfers from joint fundraising | $99,000 | $0 |
| Cash on hand | $101,000 | $54,000 |
| Outside spending for / against | $6,398 support / $0 oppose | None reported |

Top PACs for Marlin Stutzman: American Israel Public Affairs Committee Political Action Committee, $11,500; Buckeye Liberty Political Action Committee, $10,000; Ernst & Young Political Action Committee, $10,000; Mr. Southern Missourian in the House PAC, $10,000; National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee, $10,000. No PAC contributions were reported for Kelly Thompson.

The largest outside spender was Freedom Caucus Fund, which reported $6,398 in support of Marlin Stutzman.

Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings; smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total, so small donors' names are not public.

The incumbent's record

Votes listed here were selected by one rule applied to every incumbent: final passage of each spending, budget or defense bill that became law, every vote on a war powers resolution, and every vote against the majority of the member's own party, from the official House and Senate roll calls.

Committees and caucuses

Marlin Stutzman serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the House Budget Committee, the House Financial Services Committee Capital Markets Subcommittee, the House Financial Services Committee Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee, and the House Financial Services Committee Monetary Policy, Treasury Market Resilience and Economic Prosperity Task Force.

Stutzman's caucus memberships include the Congressional America 250 Caucus, Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans, Congressional College Sports Caucus, Congressional Family Caucus, Congressional Hellenic Caucus, Congressional Slovak Caucus, House Freedom Caucus, House Golden Dome Caucus, and House Republican Conference.

Key votes since June 2026

| Date | Measure | Question | Stutzman's vote | Outcome | Broke with party? |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------- | ------- | ----------------- |
| June 4, 2026 | Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027 | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| June 3, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Passed | No |
| June 4, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from Lebanon (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Failed | No |
| June 30, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Failed | No |
| July 22, 2026 | Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027 | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| July 22, 2026 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| July 23, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Passed | No |
| Sept. 1, 2026 | To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| Sept. 16, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Passed | No |

The war powers resolutions above directed the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran and Lebanon. Stutzman voted No on each of the four war powers resolutions that came to a House vote since June 2026, consistent with the majority of the Republican Party on each of those votes.

Party breaks

Marlin Stutzman voted against the majority of the Republican Party on two roll-call votes since June 2026. Both were procedural amendment votes:

| Date | Vote | Stutzman's vote | Outcome |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- | ------- |
| July 15, 2026 | Amendment to H.R. 8595, National Security and State Dept. Appropriations Act, 2027 | No | Failed |
| July 22, 2026 | Amendment to H.R. 8800, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 | Yes | Passed |

Attendance

Marlin Stutzman missed two of 123 roll-call votes since June 2026. A full-Congress missed-vote percentage was not available in the official record checked for this guide; voters can verify current attendance at the official House roll-call record.

Bills sponsored

In the 119th Congress, Marlin Stutzman sponsored 15 bills or resolutions: 12 remain at the introduced stage, one is in committee, and two have reached floor consideration. Stutzman has cosponsored 140 bills this Congress.

The two bills that reached floor consideration are:

Contested claims

Kelly Thompson said congressional representatives were not standing up to the executive branch and that representatives were returning from Washington with White House-approved talking points rather than fighting for constituents. No fact-check of this claim was found, according to WFYI Public Media.

Thompson also said Congress allowed the president to impose tariffs without congressional approval, which she described as illegal, and criticized how tariff refunds were being distributed. WFYI's transcript editor's note says refund estimates vary; the page provides no fact-check of her statements about Congress's role or refund distribution.

Marlin Stutzman said he supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he said prevented a tax increase for American families. No fact-check of this claim was found, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Stutzman also said he supported another redistricting of Indiana's congressional boundaries, arguing federal representatives should accurately represent the state's people. No fact-check of this claim was found.

Challengers' records

Kelly Thompson has not held elected or appointed public office. WFYI reports that Thompson ran unsuccessfully for Indiana House District 22 in 2020; that is a candidacy, not an office held. Thompson co-owns a concrete contracting company serving Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, and Western Ohio, and founded a nonprofit for at-risk youth focused on teen suicide prevention. Thompson has no legislative voting record to review.

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Scorecards readers can check

Interest groups that track congressional votes publish annual ratings of Marlin Stutzman based on votes each group selects. The groups below span a range of political perspectives; each picks a different set of votes, so their ratings measure different things and are not directly comparable to one another.

Heritage Action for America gave Stutzman a 100 percent rating for the 119th Congress (2025–2026). The American Conservative Union gave Stutzman a 90 percent rating for 2025. The National Taxpayers Union gave Stutzman a 90 percent rating for 2025. The AFL-CIO gave Stutzman a 0 percent rating for 2025. The League of Conservation Voters gave Stutzman a 0 percent rating for 2025.

Each group's methodology, the full list of votes it scored, and the criteria it used are available on its website. Kelly Thompson has not served in Congress and has no congressional scorecard ratings.

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Also on your ballot

Indiana voters in District 3 will also decide two statewide constitutional amendments on Nov. 3.

Statewide measures

| Designation | Topic | What a Yes vote does | What a No vote does |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Public Question 1 | Bail eligibility for non-murder, non-treason offenses | Amends the state constitution to allow denial of bail when specified evidentiary and safety-risk conditions are met | Leaves Indiana's current bail practice in place |
| Public Question 2 | Residency requirements for city and town court judges | Allows a city or town court judge to live in the court's county or the closest bordering county | Leaves the current residency requirement in place |

Public Question 1 — Bailable Offenses and Substantial Risk Standard Amendment

The official ballot question reads: "Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to provide that a person charged with an offense other than murder or treason is not entitled to bail if: (1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community."

Under current Indiana law, only people charged with murder or treason can be denied bail. A Yes vote would add an exception allowing denial of bail for other offenses when both conditions are met: the proof must be evident or the presumption strong, and the state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions would reasonably protect public safety. A No vote leaves the current rule in place.

No fiscal impact estimate was found in the official sources reviewed for this guide.

The measure is a legislative referral agreed to by the 123rd General Assembly in P.L. 255-2023 and by the 124th General Assembly in SJR 1-2026, according to the Indiana General Assembly. Final legislative vote tallies by party were not found in the sources reviewed.

Supporters cited by WFYI Public Media say the amendment could improve community safety and let judges act proactively rather than reactively. Opponents cited by WFYI argue that the amendment could jail people before conviction and conflict with the presumption of innocence.

Voters can read the full official language at the Indiana General Assembly's 2026 Non-code Acts page.

Public Question 2 — Residency Requirements for City and Town Court Judges Amendment

The official ballot question reads: "Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to permit the judge of a city or town court to reside in: (1) the county in which the court is located; or (2) the bordering county closest to the city or town in which the court is located?"

Under current Indiana law, city and town court judges must reside in the city or town where they preside. A Yes vote would allow residence in the court's county or the closest bordering county. A No vote leaves the current rule in place.

No fiscal impact estimate was found in the official sources reviewed for this guide.

The measure was agreed to by the 123rd General Assembly in P.L. 254-2023 and by the 124th General Assembly in P.L. 244-2025. The Indiana House passed the ballot language bill 92–1 on third reading; the Senate passed it 44–0 on third reading. Party tallies were not found in the sources reviewed.

WFYI Public Media says the amendment aims to help provide more judicial candidates in smaller Indiana towns. No organized opposition was found.

Voters can read the full official language at the Indiana General Assembly's HB 1019 actions page.

Local measures for Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Huntington, Jay, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley counties were not confirmed in the official sources reviewed for this guide. Voters can check their county elections office or the Indiana Secretary of State's sample ballot portal at IndianaVoters.in.gov for any additional local measures on their specific ballot.

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Before you go

  • Early voting (in-person absentee voting) runs for 28 days before the election and ends at noon local time on Nov. 2, 2026. Find county dates, locations, and hours at IndianaVoters.in.gov, per the Indiana Secretary of State's absentee voting page.
  • Election Day hours: Polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. prevailing local time on Nov. 3, 2026, per the Indiana Election Division's 2026 Election Calendar.
  • Photo ID: Voters must present government-issued photo ID with a photo, a name conforming to the voter registration record, and an issue date from Indiana or the U.S. government. The ID must be current or expired after the Nov. 5, 2024 general election, with listed exceptions for certain military and tribal IDs. A voter unable or unwilling to show qualifying ID may cast a provisional ballot and has until noon 10 days after the election to provide documentation or affirm an exemption with the county election board, per the Indiana Secretary of State's Photo ID Law page.
  • In the booth: The official pages reviewed for this guide did not state what voters may bring into the booth or what is prohibited. Contact the Indiana Secretary of State's office at the number below for details.
  • Mail ballots: The county election board must receive the completed ballot by 6:00 p.m. local prevailing time on Nov. 3, 2026. A postmark does not count as timely. Return it in the provided prepaid security envelope by mail, or hand-deliver it to the county election board subject to state rules on who may deliver it, per the Indiana Secretary of State's absentee voting page.
  • Registration deadline: Oct. 5, 2026, at close of business at the voter registration office, or midnight for an online application, per the Indiana Secretary of State and the 2026 Election Calendar. Same-day registration information was not found in the official sources reviewed.
  • Polling place lookup: IndianaVoters.in.gov, per the Indiana Secretary of State's voter registration page.
  • Hotlines: Indiana Hoosier Voter Hotline: 1-866-461-8683 (1-866-IN-1-VOTE), per the Indiana Secretary of State's 2026 Indiana Voter Information Guide. Nonpartisan Election Protection hotline: call or text 866-687-8683 (866-OUR-VOTE), per 866ourvote.org.

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Sources

Official records

Campaign finance

Candidate statements and questionnaires

News and fact-checks

Advocacy groups

  • Heritage Action for America — Marlin Stutzman scorecard
  • American Conservative Union / CPAC — Marlin Stutzman
  • AFL-CIO — Marlin Stutzman scorecard
  • League of Conservation Voters — Marlin Stutzman
  • National Taxpayers Union — Rates Congress report
  • Freedom Caucus Fund — Stutzman endorsement
  • AIPAC — Endorsed candidates
  • NRA Political Victory Fund — Indiana grades
  • Indiana State AFL-CIO — 2026 endorsements
  • National Organization for Women PAC — 2026 federal endorsements
  • Election Protection — 866ourvote.org

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