State

State Representative, 27th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Indiana laws and the state budget in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Candidates Compare by issue

Tracy Brown

Republican

Tippecanoe County commissioner · Lafayette

The gist

Supports keeping SEA 1 tax relief with local flexibility
Supports in-state training and loan repayment for health workers
Supports reviewing child care regulations to reduce barriers
Supports local control over data center siting
Supports tightening rules on intoxicating hemp products
Supports expanding loan repayment incentives for new teachers

More about Tracy

View sources (1)

Supports keeping SEA 1 tax relief with local flexibility
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“I support maintaining tax relief while ensuring local governments have the flexibility and predictability to protect essential services.”
Supports in-state training and loan repayment for health workers
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“expanding in-state training opportunities and supporting loan repayment programs tied to underserved areas”
Supports reviewing child care regulations to reduce barriers
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“reviewing current regulations to identify and reduce unnecessary barriers that may limit access or drive-up costs”
Supports local control over data center siting
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“Local communities should play the primary role in determining where and how data centers are developed.”
Supports tightening rules on intoxicating hemp products
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“That means tightening standards around labeling, potency, packaging, and where these products can be sold”
Supports expanding loan repayment incentives for new teachers
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“increasing the limits in the program and other enhancements might draw more candidates into the field”

Sheila J. Klinker

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative; retired teacher · Lafayette

The gist

Supports state pre-K funding like neighboring states
Supports protecting ratepayers from data center costs
Supports considering cannabis legalization
Authored a bill raising the minimum teacher salary to $60,000In office
Authored a property tax deduction for unemployable disabled veteransIn office
Voted against the 2025 mid-decade congressional redistricting billIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Sheila

View sources (4)

Supports state pre-K funding like neighboring states
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“Need to pass and fund pre-K funding like all of our surrounding states have done.”
Supports protecting ratepayers from data center costs
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · 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.”
Supports considering cannabis legalization
Primary 2026 candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 27
Interview · Based in Lafayette (Dave Bangert) · basedinlafayette.com
“it may be time to consider legalization”
Authored a bill raising the minimum teacher salary to $60,000
House 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”
Authored a property tax deduction for unemployable disabled veterans
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
“who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable”
Voted against the 2025 mid-decade congressional redistricting bill
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
“Roll Call 28: Bill Passed HB 1032 - Smaltz - 3rd Reading”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.