Matt Commons
Candidate for State Representative, 13th District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative; high school social studies teacher
- Lives in
- Williamsport
- Campaign website
- commonsforstatehouse.com
State representative for District 13 (all of Benton and Warren counties and parts of six others) since 2024. High school social studies teacher and youth football coach who served five years in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, including two tours in Afghanistan, earning a Purple Heart.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Pledges to oppose tax increases and cut spending
ReportIssues — Commons for StatehouseCampaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Commons · commonsforstatehouse.com
“I'll oppose tax increases and reduce spending by exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Public safety
Authored a law barring insurers from requiring gun-free zone signsIn office
House Bill 1274 (2026). Signed into law (Public Law 61-2026).
ReportHouse Bill 1274 (2026 session), "Insurance mandated gun free zone notices" — bill text and digest (HB1274.03.COMS)Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“an insurer may not require an insured or prospective insured to post or display a gun free zone notice”
Education
Authored a bill requiring a citizenship test to graduateIn office
House Bill 1160 (2026): the federal naturalization civics exam, given in grade 8 from 2026-27 and required for graduation from 2030-31, with retakes and waivers allowed. Did not become law.
ReportHouse Bill 1160 (2026 session), "Naturalization examination" — bill text and digest (HB1160.01.INTR)Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“requires a student to complete the exam with a score of not less than 70% in order to graduate high school”
Authored a law letting schools contract with religious preschoolsIn office
House Bill 1102 (2025). Signed into law (Public Law 31-2025).
ReportHouse Bill 1102 (2025 session), "Contracting for preschool programs" — bill text and digest (HB1102.03.COMS)Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Removes language restricting school corporations from entering into a contract with a religiously affiliated nonprofit preschool program.”
Economy & jobs
Authored a law giving work-based learning students workers' comp coverageIn office
House Bill 1098 (2026), subject to certain limits. Signed into law (Public Law 51-2026).
ReportHouse Bill 1098 (2026 session), "Work based learning liability" — bill text and digest (HB1098.03.COMS)Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“a student who performs services for an employer as part of a work based learning program is entitled to benefits under the worker's compensation”
Government & transparency
Supports local control over state and national policies
ReportIssues — Commons for StatehouseCampaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Commons · commonsforstatehouse.com
“Our community leaders, not Indianapolis bureaucrats, should decide what is best for us.”
Voted for the 2025 mid-decade congressional redistricting billIn office
House Bill 1032 would have redrawn Indiana's congressional districts mid-decade. The House passed it 57-41 on Dec. 5, 2025 (Roll Call 28, which lists each member's vote); the Senate defeated it 19-31 on Dec. 11, 2025. Commons is listed among the yeas.
ReportHouse Roll Call 28: House Bill 1032 (Redistricting), third reading, Dec. 5, 2025Government record · Indiana House of Representatives · Dec 5, 2025 · iga.in.gov
“Roll Call 28: Bill Passed HB 1032 - Smaltz - 3rd Reading”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Matt Commons on them.
- HousingNo documented position found.
- Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
- Environment & parksNo documented position found.
- Health & human servicesNo documented position found.
- Courts & justiceNo documented position found.
All sources (17)
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Benton County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Fountain County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Jasper County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Montgomery County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Newton County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Tippecanoe County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Warren County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (White County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Representative Matt Commons — member page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- State Rep. Matt Commons — member biography
Government record · Indiana House Republican Caucus · indianahouserepublicans.com
- Issues — Commons for Statehouse
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Matt Commons · commonsforstatehouse.com
- House Bill 1274 (2026 session), "Insurance mandated gun free zone notices" — bill text and digest (HB1274.03.COMS)
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1098 (2026 session), "Work based learning liability" — bill text and digest (HB1098.03.COMS)
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1160 (2026 session), "Naturalization examination" — bill text and digest (HB1160.01.INTR)
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1102 (2025 session), "Contracting for preschool programs" — bill text and digest (HB1102.03.COMS)
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Roll Call 28: House Bill 1032 (Redistricting), third reading, Dec. 5, 2025
Government record · Indiana House of Representatives · Dec 5, 2025 · iga.in.gov
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.