Jim Baird
Jim Baird, a Republican Vietnam War veteran and businessman who has represented Indiana's 4th congressional district since 2019, seeks re-election in 2026 against Democrat Drew Cox, a veteran and Purdue University instructor.
2026 Races & Market Forecast
Live TruthIndex™ and prediction market consensus for races contested by Jim Baird.
Live News
Recent media coverage for Jim Baird.
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ANCA endorses congressional allies for 2026 midterm elections
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA-42) – B [...] Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) – A
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US Bill Proposes Agricultural and Mining Partnership with Sudan
Introduced on October 13 by Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana, the proposal highlights US interest in Sudan’s natural wealth, particularly minerals used in modern industries.
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United States Congressman Baird Introduces Bill to Establish U.S.-Sudan Natural Resources Partnership to Protect Civilians in Region
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- Born
- June 4, 1945
- Birthplace
- Parke County, Indiana
- Education
- Turkey Run High School (1963)
Purdue University (Bachelor of Science in animal science, 1967)
Purdue University (Master of Science in animal science, 1969)
University of Kentucky (PhD in animal science monogastric nutrition, 1975)
Biography & Campaign Analysis
Background
Jim Baird was born in 1945 to William and Martha Ewbank Baird, and his father was born in Scotland. He graduated from Turkey Run High School in 1963 and earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science from Purdue University in 1967 and a Master of Science in the same field in 1969.
Commissioned in the infantry, Baird arrived in Vietnam in 1970 as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 523rd Transportation Company. He lost his left arm in a convoy ambush on March 12, 1971, during Operation Lam Son 719, and earned a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
After the war he earned a PhD in animal science monogastric nutrition from the University of Kentucky in 1975.
Career
Baird worked as a Purdue University extension agent for Putnam County from 1974 to 1983, as an animal nutritionist at the feed manufacturer Landmark Cooperative and as director of sales and nutrition at Agmax.
He owns Baird Family Farms, Triple Tree Enterprises and Indiana Home Care Plus of Greencastle.
He served as a Putnam County commissioner from 2006 to 2010, then represented House District 44 in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, where he chaired the Health and Medicaid Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.
In 2018 Baird ran for the 4th congressional district, which Todd Rokita vacated to run for the U.S. Senate, and won the May 8 Republican primary and the November 6 general election. He was re-elected with 66.6% of the vote in 2020, 68.2% in 2022 and 64.8% in 2024. In the 118th Congress he chaired the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology and also served on the Foreign Affairs and Science, Space, and Technology committees.
2026 race
Jim Baird is seeking re-election in Indiana's 4th district, which covers west-central Indiana, including Lafayette and the western suburbs of Indianapolis. He won the Republican primary with 60.5% of the vote, defeating state representative Craig Haggard, who took 30.5%, and restaurateur John Piper.
His Democratic opponent is Drew Cox, a veteran and instructor at Purdue University who won an eight-candidate primary with 30.4% of the vote. The general election takes place on November 3, 2026.