Who's running in Indiana's 6th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Jefferson Shreve currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Making life affordable, including tax relief on tips, overtime and Social Security.
Securing the border and supporting law enforcement.
American energy independence.
A federal school choice tax credit and stronger work requirements on some government benefits.
Continuing the Trump administration's agenda through its remaining years.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Indiana's 6th District since January 2025; won the open seat in 2024 with 63.9%.
Former member of the Indianapolis City-County Council; Republican nominee for Indianapolis mayor in 2023, losing to Joe Hogsett.
Serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs committees.
Says he voted yes on defunding Planned Parenthood, a federal school choice tax credit, and ending the $200 tax on firearm suppressors.
Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary with 53.1% against Sarah Janisse Brown.
Endorsed by President Trump, the NRA Political Victory Fund and the Indiana Farm Bureau AgELECT PAC.
Raised $2.43 million through June 30, 2026, with $1.61 million on hand.
Arguments in favor
His 'yes' votes on tax relief, school choice, border security and defunding Planned Parenthood mattered in a narrowly divided Congress and reflect the constituents who elected him; there is more work to build on.
— Jefferson Shreve, interview with the Daily Journal
He has strongly supported the Second Amendment in Congress, including cosponsoring right-to-carry reciprocity and voting to eliminate the excise tax on suppressors.
— NRA Political Victory Fund endorsement, released by the Shreve campaign
Arguments against
The district deserves a representative who represents the sanctity of life and 'does not have an F rating from the NRA' — a reference to the grade the NRA gave him during the 2024 primary after his support for stricter gun measures as a mayoral candidate.
— Sarah Janisse Brown, Republican primary opponent, interview with the Daily Journal; IndyStar
He has described himself as a 'moderate' Republican and drew flak for gun control positions in his mayoral race that the NRA called 'pathetic'; his narrow primary win over a lightly funded challenger suggests conservative antipathy toward him is real.
— IndyStar analysis of the primary result
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material naming Shreve in 2026 could be found; the district is not on the committee's target list.
No published criticism of Shreve by Cinde Wirth in the 2026 race could be read; coverage of the cancelled August candidate forum could not be accessed.
Whether Shreve will debate Wirth had not been reported.
Supporting working families and wage equality to rebuild the middle class.
Strengthening free public education, supported financially by communities.
Increasing access to health care.
Protecting the environment and addressing Indiana's air and water quality.
Holding leaders accountable and making Congress work for the people.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
High school biology and environmental science teacher for more than a decade; small business owner.
Congressional fellow in the US House, 2018–19.
PhD, Ball State University, 2025.
Democratic nominee for this seat in 2022 and 2024; lost to Shreve by more than 30 points in 2024.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary with 58.7% in a four-candidate field.
Raised $37,046 through June 30, 2026, with $7,151 on hand.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
As a teacher, scientist, small business owner and former congressional policy writer, she has the expertise to get the job done and brings new leadership to a seat held by big names and big money.
— Cinde Wirth campaign site
She has seen in her classroom how federal policy shapes the lives of Indiana families whose parents work more than one job, and would pursue win-win policies on wages, schools and the environment.
— Cinde Wirth, interview with WFYI
Arguments against
She lost this seat by more than 30 points in 2024 and had raised about $37,000 against Shreve's $2.4 million by mid-2026, in a district every forecaster rates safe Republican.
— 2024 election results; Federal Election Commission filings; forecaster ratings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Wirth by name could be found — not from Shreve's campaign, the NRCC, or coverage in WFYI, the Daily Journal, The Republic or IndyStar.
Her detailed 2026 policy platform beyond the headings reported by WFYI was not published in the coverage found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Indiana held its primaries on May 5, 2026. Two candidates appear on the November ballot: Republican incumbent Jefferson Shreve and Democrat Cynthia 'Cinde' Wirth — a rematch of 2024, which Shreve won with 63.9%. The roster is confirmed against the Indiana Secretary of State's certified general election candidate list, updated August 27, 2026, which lists no write-in candidates for this seat. The district covers central and eastern Indiana — Johnson County, all or part of Bartholomew, Fayette, Hancock, Henry, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Union and Wayne counties, and the southern townships of Marion County. Its lines are unchanged because the Indiana Senate rejected mid-decade redistricting in December 2025. Shreve's closest contest this year was the Republican primary, which he won 53.1% to 46.9% over Sarah Janisse Brown. Forecasters rate the general election safe Republican. Through June 30, 2026 Shreve had raised $2.43 million, much of it self-financed, to Wirth's $37,046. In August a local coalition cancelled a planned candidate forum after Shreve did not respond to its invitation.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Indiana ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.