Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2011)

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Why He Matters

"I'm as conservative as they come," said Stutzman following his election to the former seat of Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), who resigned after admitting to an affair with a staffer.

Souder's resignation gave Stutzman a second chance at winning federal office in 2010, after Stutzman failed to defeat former Sen. Dan Coats for the Republican Senate bid. A former state senator who took office a week after his election to complete Souder's term, Stutzman said he believes Republicans have a mandate to slash government spending. Nonetheless, the tea-party favorite expects to reach across the aisle in his first term.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Co-owner, Stutzman Farms (1995-present); Owner, Stutzman Farms Trucking (1997-present); Indiana State Senator (2009-2010); Indiana State Representative (2002-2008)
Birthday: Aug. 31, 1976
Hometown: Howe, Ind.
Alma Mater: Attended Tri-State University (now Trine University)
Spouse: Christy

Religion: Baptist
Committees: House Agriculture Committee , Budget , Veterans' Affairs
DC Office: 1728 Longworth
Web site: stutzman.house.gov
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Path To Power

Born in 1976 in Sturgis, Mich., Stutzman was raised in Howe, Ind., where he and his father continue to run a 4,000-acre farm. The eldest of four children in the Mennonite family, Stutzman worked on the farm raising livestock and growing vegetables.

Stutzman attended Tri-State University for two years, but left to return to the farm. At age 23, he married a teacher, converting to her religion, Baptism. In the 1990s, he became co-owner of the family farm and also began a trucking business.

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Early Political Career

Largely uninterested in politics early in life, Stutzman developed his views listening to conservative talk-radio while working. As a small-business owner, he became involved politically when the state revenue department charged him thousands of dollars for incorrect information.

In 2002, Stutzman filed the last possible day to challenge a longtime Democratic state House incumbent. Stutzman won and served in the state House from 2003 to 2008, before being tapped in 2009 to replace a vacant state senator. In 2005, Stutzman joined the staff of Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), working as a special assistant in Souder's district office.

2010 Senate Race

In 2009, Stutzman announced that he would challenge Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) the following year.

The Senate race dramatically changed in February 2010 when former Sen. Dan Coats (R)cemented frontrunner status by announcing a bid and Bayh chose not to defend his seat. A moderate Republican, Coats emerged as the primary winner while Stutzman and former Rep. John Hostettler split conservative votes.

2010 House Race

After winning his primary to run for a 9th term, Souder announced he would resign from the House in May 2010 after he "sinned against God" by having an affair with a part-time staffer. Stutzman was immediately considered a frontrunner for the 3rd congressional district seat.

When announcing plans to replace Souder, Stutzman recalled hearing rumors about Souder's infidelity when he worked in his district office. "I trusted my boss and what he said," Stutzman said.

Stutzman handily won the Republican nomination, emerging from a field of 15 vying in a party caucus. In the district, the Republican nomination amounted to a near-sure general election victory. Stutzman defeated Democrat Tom Hayhurst by 30 percentage points.

Stutzman would like a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Other House committees he has interest in are the Agriculture, Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure panels.

The Issues

"I consider myself a tea party person," Stutzman says.

While he subscribes to the small government, limited spending philosophy of that conservative movement, Stutzman is unique on foreign policy. Stutzman initially supported the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has praised President Obama for providing resources to fight the latter war. Still, Stutzman says it is time to draw down in the region, where the culture doesn't match up with American ideals. "In some cases you bring democracy. In other circumstances, I just don't think that it's always possible to do that," Stutzman said.

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Critical of amnesty proposals for illegal immigrants, Stutzman does support a guest worker program allowing people to work in American with a pathway to citizenship.

Agriculture

Against government intervention in the agriculture industry, Stutzman says farm subsidies should be abolished as they "only manipulate the market." He believes crop insurance should be enough to keep farmers afloat during tough times.

Stutzman's family farms received $998,000 in subsidies since 1995, according to the Environmental Working Group, which analyzed U.S. Department of Agriculture data. While USDA officials said he could've refused the payments, Stutzman said he was stuck with a system he abhors. "The point is it's the farm system. They're going to send me a check here in a couple of weeks, and you know what? I'm going to deposit it. I don't like it. I don't like the system," Stutzman said.

As a state legislator, Stutzman focused on agricultural issues. He co-authored the bill establishing the Indiana Department of Agriculture, which he says advocates for and doesn't regulate agriculture. He also helped pass a state tax credit for ethanol producers.

Economy and Fiscal Policy

Stutzman says business tax rates should be reduced to encourage investment. He also advocates for replacing federal income taxes with a national sales tax, saying the change would eliminate loopholes and tax shelters. Stutzman has called for all federal agencies to trim spending by ten percent.

Stutzman called the $787-billion 2009 stimulus bill a disaster. "Instead of letting the consumer drive the economy, they chose to pick the winners and losers. I believe it was a failure from the beginning," Stutzman said.

Stutzman said Social Security benefit costs should be lowered for future recipients, though benefits for current retirees should remain intact. During his House campaign, Stutzman proposed offering tax credits to people who forgo Social Security benefits if they don't need them.

Abortion Rights

An anti-abortion rights Republican, Stutzman believes "life begins at conception, but the duty of protecting life doesn't end with the birth of a child."

As a state legislator, Stutzman backed a series of bills intended to restrict the legality of abortions. Those bills included setting physical requirements for abortion clinics, requiring that women seeking abortions be told that fetuses feel pain and that life begins at conception and making it a felony to perform abortions.

Health Care

An opponent of the 2010 health-care bill, Stutzman said that insurance should be handled at a state level while the federal government focuses on medication costs. Instead of coverage mandates, Stutzman said states should give incentives to individuals to get insured.

The Network

While Stutzman said he would vote for Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) for speaker if no one else runs, Stutzman has suggested he would support others for the post, including Reps. Mike Pence (R-Ind.).

Ahead of the 2010 Senate primary, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) endorsed Stutzman over eventual winner Dan Coats.

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Additional Resources