James Baird

James Richard Baird is a Republican politician representing Indiana's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2018 and assumed office in January 2019. Baird’s background is rooted in military service; he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1972. During an enemy ambush in Vietnam, he lost his left arm and was later awarded a Bronze Star with a "V" device for valor and two Purple Hearts for his actions in combat. Baird holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in animal science from Purdue University and earned a PhD in monogastric nutrition from the University of Kentucky in 1975. Professionally, he has operated Baird Family Farms and several small businesses, including a home healthcare agency and a gas station operator. He also worked for many years as a Purdue University extension agent and an animal nutritionist before entering public service at the local level. Prior to his tenure in Congress, Baird served as a Putnam County Commissioner from 2006 to 2010 and represented the 44th district in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. In the U.S. House, he holds leadership roles on the Committee on Agriculture, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. He also serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, focusing on issues such as rural development, veteran support, and international relations.

Representative Baird describes himself as a fiscal conservative who prioritizes decreasing federal spending and reducing government overreach to support the economy. As a farmer and PhD scientist, his primary focus is on agriculture and rural development; he advocates for agricultural innovation, rural broadband expansion, and the interests of Hoosier farmers in the Farm Bill. On immigration, Baird supports stricter border enforcement and the requirement of citizenship proof for voter registration, though he has also supported bipartisan legislation like the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and the DIGNIDAD Act, which propose pathways to legal status for certain agricultural workers. He is a supporter of the Second Amendment and identifies as pro-life. Additionally, he is an advocate for veterans' services and healthcare, leveraging his experience as a decorated Vietnam veteran to champion policies that address the unique needs of those who served in the military.