The Gist
State Senator, 6th District

James (Jay) Starkey

Candidate for State Senator, 6th District

Republican

Background

Occupation
Construction manager
Lives in
DeMotte
Campaign website
jaystarkey.com

Construction manager from DeMotte who coached track and field at DeMotte Christian for a number of years; a 1990 graduate of Hebron High School. He defeated Sen. Rick Niemeyer in the May 2026 Republican primary.

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Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Supports curbing property tax growth through assessor accountability.

    Platform | Jay Starkey for Indiana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “reduce the ridiculous growth of our property taxes by targeting the local corruption and lack of accountability in the county assessor process”
    Report

  • Opposes taxpayer-funded plans for a new Bears stadium.

    Platform | Jay Starkey for Indiana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “various schemes to fund the new Bears Stadium off the back of taxpayers”
    Report

Public safety

  • Opposes any new restrictions on gun rights.

    Platform | Jay Starkey for Indiana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “I will stand unwavering against any efforts to restrict this essential right.”
    Report

  • Supports state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

    Jay Starkey for State Senate | Indiana Senate District 6

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “I will stand for strong immigration enforcement and Indiana's collaboration with federal enforcement authorities.”
    Report

Education

  • Supports school choice and opposes DEI in schools.

    Jay Starkey for State Senate | Indiana Senate District 6

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “strongly opposing any attempt to reintroduce DEI and Critical Race Theory into our schools”
    Platform | Jay Starkey for Indiana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “I strongly support school choice and believe education funding should follow the student”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Supports making new industry pay its own utility costs.

    He ties rising local utility prices to data centers and says companies investing in the district should not pass costs on to other customers.

    Platform | Jay Starkey for Indiana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect James "Jay" Starkey · jaystarkey4senate.com

    “make companies wishing to invest in our communities responsible for their own bills”
    Report

Health & human services

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from James (Jay) Starkey on them.

  • HousingNo documented position found.
  • Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.

All sources (9)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.