State
State Representative, 52nd 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.
Taxes & budget
Joseph TrostDemocratic
No documented position found.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
- Authored ending tax exemptions for unused nonprofit hospital property.In office
Public safety
Joseph TrostDemocratic
- Opposes AI-enabled Flock surveillance cameras.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
- Authored expunging red flag records for people found not dangerous.In office
Education
Joseph TrostDemocratic
- Supports more school funding and higher educator wages.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
- Authored barring certain foreign students from state university STEM programs.In office
Economy & jobs
Joseph TrostDemocratic
- Pledges to raise wages for working Hoosiers.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
No documented position found.
Environment & parks
Joseph TrostDemocratic
- Supports restrictions and a moratorium on data centers.
- Supports holding polluting corporations accountable.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Joseph TrostDemocratic
- Proposes grants to help veterans claim their benefits.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Joseph TrostDemocratic
No documented position found.
Ben SmaltzRepublican
- Authored a bill redrawing Indiana's congressional districts mid-decade.In office
- Authored moving city and town elections to even-numbered years.In office
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.