Two years ago, Mooresville Republican Craig Haggard, a first-term state representative, raised his hand to say he was interested in the 4th Congressional District seat if incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Baird decided not to run.
Baird, also a Republican, did run, and he has implied he will run for a fifth term in 2026, saying his mission is to earn the 4th District's support in 2026. But things are different now. Haggard is officially running for the May Republican primary, too, having formally kicked off his campaign with a friendly gathering of supporters in Plainfield Aug. 12.
It's off to the races for what could be the most competitive, and already contentious, congressional contests in Indiana this cycle. Because of the makeup of the district, whomever wins the primary is likely to win the general election.
"I’m sick and tired of people going to D.C. and worrying more about a vote based on them being reelected than doing the right thing," Haggard said, situated before an American flag and the restored nose of the jet he flew as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps. "I want to go and fight. I want to go and represent you."
The 4th Congressional District stretches from Morgan County in the south to Jasper and Newton counties in the north.
Though he only just filed his formal candidacy on Aug. 8, Haggard has already reported about $50,000 of contributions from the first half of 2025 and has $84,000 in the bank as of June 30. Baird raised $68,000 the same period, and has about $140,000 cash on hand.
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers
The race is already tense. Haggard has noted that Baird's congressional mailers have included images of his son, Beau, and have increasingly left off his first name ― a move Haggard has interpreted publicly as Baird subtly introducing his son as a successor to his seat. The younger Baird has been rumored to be a potential future candidate for the seat after his father leaves.
The elder Baird, in a fiery press release the afternoon of Aug. 12, set the record straight: It is he who will court voters in 2026 and he will "not be distracted by political games."
He condemned Haggard's comments as "baseless" and "disgusting," mentioning four times in the press release that he is a two-time Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam veteran.
"I have never wavered in my commitment to my community and my country. I will continue that fight on the House floor to ensure the people of the 4th District have a strong voice in Washington," Baird said. "My mission remains serving the people of the 4th District and earning their support in 2026."
He also stressed that President Donald Trump has endorsed him in each of his races since 2018. Trump has yet to make an endorsement for the 2026 race.
Haggard told reporters at the event that whether his opponent is the congressman or his son, he will run the same campaign.
"If the congressman runs, great. And if his son runs, great," Haggard said. "Either way, doesn’t change what I’m doing. I’m always going to run like I’m behind. I’m going to work my tail off; I’ll be working every day from here until May 5."
About Craig Haggard
Haggard, a Marine and Indiana Air National Guard veteran, was elected to his Statehouse seat in 2022, serving parts of Morgan, Hendricks and Johnson counties. He is also a small business owner and commercial broker.
He was also Indiana's field representative for the National Rifle Association for six years.
There was a sizeable labor union presence at his rally, particularly from the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Political director Jerome Stanford said Haggard came to their training facility in Greenwood years ago and instantly hit it off.
He said Haggard proved he is an honest broker when he voted against a bill in the Statehouse seeking to restrict project labor agreements, a bill the unions saw as anti-union. Stanford also appreciates that Haggard has friendships across the political aisle ― something unions themselves have been making in recent years, too ― and is accessible and available. It helps that a lot of his union members are into guns, too.
"He's a roughneck just like the rest of us," Stanford laughed.
Though the soaring national debt is one of Haggard's top concerns, his main promise to supporters was that he would be reachable and respond to every constituent while in office.
"And if we don’t," he told the crowd, "throw it on Facebook."
Those constituents could change if lawmakers heed Trump's call to redraw Indiana's congressional maps before the midterm elections. Nomatter what new lines may be drawn, Haggard said he plans to still run for the 4th ― or whatever new number is assigned to it.
"I’ve worked on this for two years. I met with thousands of people, I’m going to continue to."
More: Gov. Mike Braun on Trump's redistricting pitch: 'I'm listening to the legislators'
Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at [email protected] or follow her on X:@kayla_dwyer17
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: U.S. Rep. Jim Baird will have a challenger if he runs for reelection
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