Sheila J. Klinker
Candidate for State Representative, 27th District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative; retired teacher
- Lives in
- Lafayette
- Campaign website
- indianahousedemocrats.org
State representative for District 27 (Lafayette) since 1982; serves on the Ways and Means, Education, and Veterans Affairs and Public Safety committees. Taught for more than 34 years in the Lafayette School Corporation and was an outreach liaison for Purdue's School of Education.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Authored a property tax deduction for unemployable disabled veteransIn office
House Bill 1168 (2026), also covering surviving spouses. Did not become law.
ReportHouse Bill 1168 (2026 session), "Property tax exemption for qualified veterans" — bill text and digest (HB1168.01.INTR)Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable”
Education
Supports state pre-K funding like neighboring states
ReportPrimary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“Need to pass and fund pre-K funding like all of our surrounding states have done.”
Authored a bill raising the minimum teacher salary to $60,000In office
House Bill 1170 (2026), for school years after June 30, 2027. Did not become law.
ReportHouse Bill 1170 (2026 session), "Teacher compensation" — bill text and digest (HB1170.01.INTR)Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“cannot establish a minimum salary of $60,000 (instead of $40,000 under current law) for each full-time teacher”
Roads & infrastructure
Supports protecting ratepayers from data center costs
ReportPrimary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“We need to make sure there will be no adverse effects to rate payers if these are approved.”
Government & transparency
Voted against 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. Klinker is listed among the nays.
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”
Courts & justice
Supports considering cannabis legalization
Primary Q&A answer on hemp-based products.
ReportPrimary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“it may be time to consider legalization”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Sheila J. Klinker on them.
- Economy & jobsNo documented position found.
- Health & human servicesNo documented position found.
All sources (8)
- 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
- Representative Sheila Klinker — member page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- State Rep. Sheila Klinker — member biography
Government record · Indiana House Democratic Caucus · indianahousedemocrats.org
- Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
- House Bill 1170 (2026 session), "Teacher compensation" — bill text and digest (HB1170.01.INTR)
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1168 (2026 session), "Property tax exemption for qualified veterans" — bill text and digest (HB1168.01.INTR)
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.