Joe Mackey
Joe Mackey (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Indiana's 4th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026.
Mackey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Joe Mackey was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Mackey's career experience includes working as a machinist.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Indiana's 4th Congressional District election, 2026
Indiana's 4th Congressional District election, 2026 (May 5 Democratic primary)
Indiana's 4th Congressional District election, 2026 (May 5 Republican primary)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Incumbent Jim Baird (R), Drew Cox (D), and David Bokash (Independent) are running in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Jim Baird (R) | |
 | Drew Cox (D)  | |
| David Bokash (Independent) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on May 5, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Drew Cox | 30.4 | 7,550 |
 | Joe Mackey | 22.8 | 5,671 | |
 | Paul McPherson | 12.6 | 3,136 | |
 | Jayden McCash | 7.9 | 1,965 | |
 | Darin Patrick Griesey | 6.9 | 1,711 | |
 | John Whetstone | 6.8 | 1,699 | |
 | Thomas D. Hall Jr. | 6.6 | 1,635 | |
| Roger Day | 6.1 | 1,507 | ||
| Total votes: 24,874 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Robert Lovely (D)
Republican primary
Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Incumbent Jim Baird (R) defeated Craig Haggard (R) and John Piper (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on May 5, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Baird | 60.5 | 37,855 |
 | Craig Haggard | 30.5 | 19,102 | |
 | John Piper | 8.9 | 5,596 | |
| Total votes: 62,553 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2020
See also: Indiana's 4th Congressional District election, 2020
Indiana's 4th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)
Indiana's 4th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Incumbent Jim Baird defeated Joe Mackey in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Baird (R) | 66.6 | 225,531 |
| Joe Mackey (D) | 33.4 | 112,984 | |
| Total votes: 338,515 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Joe Mackey defeated Veronikka Ziol, Benjamin Frederick, and Howard Pollchik in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joe Mackey | 53.9 | 18,086 |
| Veronikka Ziol | 28.7 | 9,630 | ||
| Benjamin Frederick | 13.4 | 4,484 | ||
| Howard Pollchik | 4.0 | 1,328 | ||
| Total votes: 33,528 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Incumbent Jim Baird advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Baird | 100.0 | 65,806 |
| Total votes: 65,806 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jeffrey Alberts (R)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Indiana District 4
Jim Baird defeated Tobi Beck in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on November 6, 2018.
| Total votes: 244,363 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tobi Beck | 34.6 | 6,467 |
| Veronikka Ziol | 21.1 | 3,938 | ||
| Joe Mackey | 16.1 | 3,013 | |
| Roger Day | 12.4 | 2,324 | ||
| Roland Ellis | 9.2 | 1,712 | ||
| Darin Patrick Griesey | 6.7 | 1,249 | |
| Total votes: 18,703 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Sheryl Shipley (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 4 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Baird | 36.6 | 29,319 |
 | Steve Braun | 29.5 | 23,602 | |
 | Diego Morales | 15.0 | 11,997 | |
 | Jared Thomas | 10.5 | 8,435 | |
 | Kevin Grant | 4.6 | 3,667 | |
 | James Nease | 2.6 | 2,097 | |
 | Tim Radice | 1.3 | 1,013 | |
| Total votes: 80,130 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joe Mackey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mackey's responses.
| Collapse all
I was deeply troubled seeing children and seniors struggle to get enough to eat during the 2025 government shutdown. I'm also concerned about Hoosiers who could lose access to affordable healthcare if ACA tax breaks are eliminated
Because my wife and I lost two children to cancer within 30 months, healthcare is a particularly compelling concern for me. We took that grief and turned it into purpose by creating a nonprofit to support families whose children are fighting cancer.
I am told I am a man of integrity, compassion and resilience. My life experiences have shaped those attributes, as well as my commitment to being a strong voice for Hoosiers in Washington.
I believe Congress has a responsibility to serve the people and provide real oversight and balance in government. I'm committed to working with anyone — from either party — to make sure Americans get the support and stability they deserve.- Affordable Healthcare: fighting cuts to Medicare, ACA protections, and fair drug pricing
- Affordable Education: ending predatory student loans, supporting teachers and public schools
- Affordable Housing: first-time buyer programs, cost-cutting reforms, community partnerships
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
Joe Mackey did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Joseph Mackey participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 20, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Joseph Mackey's responses follow below.[2]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) Healthcare |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Healthcare today is the single largest threat to the American people. Having lost two children to two distinctly different cancers I understand fully the fact that healthcare for millions of Americans has grown beyond our affordability. Managing an all volunteer pediatric cancer foundation has motivated me to run for congress. today, our congress holds the American people in contempt. Congress now treats the American people like Oliver Twist with porridge bowl in hand asking "Please sir may we not die in our homes due to lack of adequate and accessible healthcare", "Please sir may we not be forced to bankrupt ourselves and our children future due to the ever increasing cost of education. "please sir may we as a nation rebuild our country and by this action provide for the creation of millions of new jobs"!Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Joseph Mackey answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
| “ | In my youth our Congressional district was represented in Congress by Floyd Fithian (Democrat). Representative Fithian went to work every day to see to it the working people of his district had a voice at the table of government. We no longer have that voice at the tale. Our elected officials have sold us away to their own interest, believing that a lucrative relationship with business is far better than a secure constituent. I will bring back Congressman Fithian's perogatives.[4] | ” |
| “ | John Growley's book "Four Freedoms". This essentially covers Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union speech in which Roosevelt outlined the 4 freedoms of the American people.1). Freedom of speech. 2). Freedom of worship. 3). Freedom from want. 4). Freedom from fear.[4] | ” |
| “ | Honesty, Integrity, dignity! When these three principles are tied to the dream of a better, more inclusive country the American people grow stronger, the nation grows stronger and the future is better for all of us and not just some of us.[4] | ” |
| “ | Unlike the cookie cutter candidates of the past I am a blue collar American. Working people are far too often spoken about in Washington, I will speak for them![4] | ” |
| “ | The primary responsibility of elected officials is to secure for their constituents the best possible future. To actively agitate, to debate, to listen, to support those ideas and ideals they believe are in the best interest of their districts and the country.[4] | ” |
| “ | Joe Macke, a working man, went to Congress and fought for those who's voice in government had been lost, who's voice in government had been ignored for far too long.[4] | ” |
| “ | The assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Just eight days later Robert Kennedy. I was seven years old. I remember my mother sitting on our sofa, her face locked in shock, fixed on our television. I remember her words to this day. "My God they've killed them all"![4] | ” |
| “ | I delivered morning and evening news papers in my home town. I did this through most of my junior high and high school years.[4] | ” |
| “ | I proposed to my wife and then realized I had left my wallet at home. She paid for dinner and I the ring.[4] | ” |
| “ | I love them all. Holidays are a time for family to come together and celebrate. I hail from a large family. I am the youngest of 8 children. Seven siblings and so many progeny, each generation different from the prior coming together to talk, laugh, and renew our bonds.[4] | ” |
| “ | Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Twain manages to capture not only the leading social and political issues of the day and to tie them together with the youthful insight of a child.[4] | ” |
| “ | Mr. Smith as in Mr. Smith goes to Washington.[4] | ” |
| “ | I'm not much for material objects. I love my wife and family because they sustain me through all our life events.[4] | ” |
| “ | Free bird by Leonard Skynerd.[4] | ” |
| “ | Having lost two teenagers to cancer I struggle with grief. I have learned to use my grief in positive ways in order to build a better tomorrow for those whom I serve.[4] | ” |
| “ | Open debate. The "Lower" house is obligated to responds to the needs of the American people. their job is to investigate driving issues and to formulate an adequate response through legislation.[4] | ” |
| “ | NO![4] | ” |
| “ | Healthcare, Education and Infrastructure needs.[4] | ” |
| “ | House Energy and Commerce sub committee on Health. House Ways and Means sub committee on Social Security, House ways and Means sub committee on Trade.[4] | ” |
| “ | I would like to see the terms extended to 4 years with a limit on the number of terms served to 4 full terms.[4] | ” |
| “ | I would like to see the terms extended to 4 years with a limit on the number of terms served to 4 full terms.[4] | ” |
| “ | I believe a fair and impartial redistricting map can best be drawn using Artificial Intelligence (AI).[4] | ” |
| “ | Representative Floyd Fithian of Indiana[4] | ” |
| “ | I received a call one night from a mother of three. Her oldest son was battling Leukemia. She was so desperate. She told me she had fallen two months behind in rent, two months behind in her car payment, she had no food in the home and no gas in her car despite the fact that she worked full time. I clearly hear the shakiness in her voice. The overwhelming desperation in her plea for help. We MUST do better by our people.[4] | ” |
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Joseph Mackey participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 6, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Joseph Mackey's responses follow below.[5]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) Healthcare |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Healthcare! Everyone uses the healthcare system. Healthcare is an issue that affects all of us and not just some of us.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Joseph Mackey answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
| “ | Congressman Floyd Fithian of Indiana. Congressman Fythian Workers for the average person. He fought for them and he worked to improve their lives.[4] | ” |
| “ | Integrity in pursuing legislation which protects the American people.[4] | ” |
| “ | I listen and I work hard to understand the perspectives of others. These two qualities I use to build consensus.[4] | ” |
| “ | The primary responsibility of an elected official is to work for the betterment of their hone district.[4] | ” |
| “ | When mentioned I would want people to say “I’m proud I voted for Joe Mackey”![4] | ” |
| “ | The assasination of MLK. I was 7years old.[4] | ” |
| “ | I worked the Pizza counter for Arni’s in my home town of Lafayette, Indiana. I worked for Aaron all four years I was in high school.[4] | ” |
| “ | I fell asleep in a movie theater.[4] | ” |
| “ | Easter is my favorite holiday. The season of renewal and hope.[4] | ” |
| “ | Earnest Hemingway’s The old man and the sea. Pride in what you do coupled with a force conviction to never quit are remarkable qualities when they are combined.[4] | ” |
| “ | Huckleberry Finn.[4] | ” |
| “ | Our dog Minnie the wonder pooch. She knows us better than we know ourselves.[4] | ” |
| “ | Billy Joel “We didn’t lite the fire”.[4] | ” |
| “ | The loss of two of our children to cancer.[4] | ” |
| “ | The House is the one institution where the needs of the nation meet the finances of the nation. Through debate the nation moves into the future.[4] | ” |
| “ | No![4] | ” |
| “ | Healthcare is the single greatest threat to the long term well being of the American people.[4] | ” |
| “ | Farming, Science, Ways and M, Financeeans[4] | ” |
| “ | No, the terms should be based on 4year terms.[4] | ” |
| “ | I’d rather see and end to Citizens United before term limits.[4] | ” |
| “ | Bipartisan redistricting by computer based boundaries.[4] | ” |
| “ | As a first time candidate I’m not yet considering a leadership role.[4] | ” |
| “ | Congressman Floyd Fithian.[4] | ” |
| “ | There is a young man in my district. He’s been battling cancer since high school. He has battled the disease on and off for 5 years. He never quits and he never gives up the fight.[4] | ” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Indiana District 4 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Joe Mackey for Congress, "Why Choose Joe" accessed April 15, 2026
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Joseph Mackey's responses," April 20, 2018 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "BPsurvey" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 4.39 4.40 4.41 4.42 4.43 4.44 4.45 4.46 4.47 4.48 4.49 4.50 4.51 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
