Marlin Stutzman

Marlin Stutzman
Born	Marlin Andrew Stutzman 31 8, 1976
Birthplace	Sturgis, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, farmer
Known for	U.S. Representative from Indiana's 3rd congressional district
Education	Trine University
Spouse(s)	Christy Stutzman
Children	2

Marlin Andrew Stutzman (born August 31, 1976) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who has served as the U.S. Representative from Indiana's 3rd congressional district since January 2025. He previously represented the same district from November 2010 to January 2017, making him one of a small number of members of Congress to return to the same seat after a period out of office. Before his congressional career, Stutzman served in the Indiana House of Representatives representing the 52nd district from 2003 to 2009 and in the Indiana Senate representing the 13th district from 2009 to 2010. A farmer by background, Stutzman built his political career on a platform of fiscal conservatism and limited government. In the 119th United States Congress, he serves on the House Financial Services Committee, where he has been active on issues including housing policy, tariffs, and cryptocurrency regulation.

Early Life

Marlin Andrew Stutzman was born on August 31, 1976, in Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan, near the Indiana–Michigan border. He grew up in the rural northeastern Indiana region, an area characterized by its agricultural economy and small-town communities. Stutzman's family had deep roots in farming, and he was raised in an environment that instilled in him values connected to agriculture and rural life. He became involved in farming operations at a young age and would go on to operate his own farm, an experience that shaped his political outlook and later informed his positions on agricultural policy, property rights, and government regulation.

Stutzman's upbringing in the rural communities along the Indiana–Michigan border exposed him to the economic challenges facing small farmers and rural residents. The northeastern Indiana region, which would later form the core of his congressional constituency, has historically been a center of manufacturing and agriculture. These formative experiences in farming and community life laid the groundwork for Stutzman's entry into public service.

Education

Stutzman attended Glen Oaks Community College, a two-year institution located in Centreville, Michigan, near his birthplace in Sturgis. He subsequently attended Trine University (formerly Tri-State University), a private university located in Angola, Indiana, in the heart of the district he would later represent in Congress. Trine University is known for its programs in engineering, business, and the sciences. Stutzman's educational background at these regional institutions reinforced his connections to the northeastern Indiana and southern Michigan communities that would form the basis of his political constituency.

Career

Indiana House of Representatives (2003–2009)

Stutzman began his career in elected office when he won a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 52nd district. He took office in January 2003, succeeding Dale Sturtz. During his tenure in the state House, Stutzman served under the Republican caucus and participated in legislative activity on a range of state issues. The Indiana House Republican caucus during this period was involved in efforts related to property tax reform, education policy, and economic development.

As a state representative, Stutzman engaged with issues of particular relevance to his rural northeastern Indiana constituency. He served during a period of significant legislative activity in the Indiana General Assembly, including debates over property tax caps that would eventually be enshrined in the state constitution. His work in the state House established his credentials as a fiscal conservative and positioned him for advancement in Indiana Republican politics.

Stutzman served in the Indiana House for six years, spanning three legislative sessions. He was succeeded in the 52nd district by David Yarde when he moved to the Indiana Senate in 2009.

Indiana Senate (2009–2010)

In 2008, following the departure of state Senator Robert Meeks from the 13th Senate district, Stutzman declared his candidacy for the vacant seat. He won the caucus election and took office in the Indiana Senate in January 2009, representing the 13th district.

During his time in the Indiana Senate, Stutzman served on several key committees. He was a member of the Natural Resources Committee, the Pensions and Labor Committee, the Commerce, Public Policy & Interstate Cooperation Committee, and the Utilities & Technology Committee. These committee assignments reflected his interests in agricultural and natural resource issues, labor policy, and economic regulation—areas of particular importance to his northeastern Indiana constituents.

Stutzman's tenure in the Indiana Senate was relatively brief, lasting less than two years, as he would soon turn his attention to a race for the U.S. Congress. He was succeeded in the 13th Senate district by Sue Glick.

First Term in U.S. Congress (2010–2017)

2010 Election

In 2010, a vacancy arose in Indiana's 3rd congressional district when incumbent Republican Representative Mark Souder resigned from office. Stutzman entered the race for the seat and won a special election on November 2, 2010, taking office that same day. He also won election to a full term representing the district in the same election cycle. Indiana's 3rd congressional district, located in the northeastern corner of the state, encompasses the city of Fort Wayne and surrounding rural communities—territory that overlapped significantly with the areas Stutzman had represented at the state level.

Stutzman's arrival in Washington coincided with the Tea Party movement-fueled Republican wave of 2010, which swept a large freshman class of conservative Republicans into the House. He aligned himself with the fiscally conservative wing of the Republican conference and established a record focused on reducing government spending, opposing tax increases, and limiting the scope of federal programs.

Congressional Service (2011–2017)

During his three full terms representing Indiana's 3rd district, Stutzman became known within the Republican caucus as a vocal proponent of fiscal discipline. He was among the Republican members who took firm positions during debates over government funding and the federal debt ceiling. In 2013, during a period of intense conflict over federal spending levels, Stutzman was quoted in connection with Republican opposition to a continuing resolution, as the party sought to link government funding to broader fiscal objectives including the debt ceiling.

Stutzman won reelection in 2012, carrying the district comfortably. He continued to serve the district through the 114th Congress, building a legislative record that emphasized limited government, agricultural policy, and conservative fiscal principles.

In 2016, rather than seek reelection to the House, Stutzman ran for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Dan Coats. He lost the Republican primary to Todd Young, who went on to win the general election. Following his unsuccessful Senate bid, Stutzman left Congress in January 2017 and was succeeded in the 3rd district by Jim Banks.

Period Out of Office (2017–2025)

After leaving Congress in January 2017, Stutzman returned to private life in northeastern Indiana. During this period, he remained connected to Republican politics in Indiana and maintained his profile within conservative circles in the state's 3rd congressional district.

Return to Congress (2025–present)

Stutzman returned to Congress on January 3, 2025, once again representing Indiana's 3rd congressional district. His return to the seat was made possible when Jim Banks, who had succeeded him in 2017, vacated the House seat after winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2024. Stutzman won the 2024 Republican primary and general election to reclaim the district.

Upon his return to Congress in the 119th United States Congress, Stutzman was appointed to the House Financial Services Committee, a significant committee assignment that placed him at the center of debates over financial regulation, housing policy, and economic legislation.

Legislative Activity in the 119th Congress

In his second stint in Congress, Stutzman has been active on several policy fronts. In 2025, he advocated for legislation aimed at preventing institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, framing the issue as one of protecting American families' access to homeownership. In a press release, Stutzman emphasized that housing should serve the needs of families rather than large-scale investors.

Stutzman has also engaged with issues of trade policy and tariffs. In November 2025, following a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, he appeared on financial media to discuss the decision and its implications, offering commentary from his position on the Financial Services Committee.

In a July 2025 interview, Stutzman discussed a range of policy topics including developments in the Middle East, cryptocurrency regulation, and federal budget rescissions, indicating his engagement with both foreign policy issues and emerging areas of financial regulation.

In August 2025, Stutzman announced that he had participated in writing a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee nominating President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

In November 2025, Stutzman publicly criticized Indiana Senate Republicans over a redistricting decision, urging them to pursue redistricting that would support conservative representation in the state. The public dispute highlighted Stutzman's willingness to engage in intraparty disagreements on matters of political strategy.

In September 2025, Stutzman participated in a community event in Auburn, Indiana, co-hosted with WOWO radio host Kayla Blakeslee, titled "Faith & Courage: Remembering Charlie Kirk," demonstrating his engagement with conservative media figures and community outreach in his district.

Personal Life

Marlin Stutzman is married to Christy Stutzman. The couple has two children. The family resides in northeastern Indiana, in the area encompassed by Indiana's 3rd congressional district. Stutzman has maintained his connection to farming and rural life throughout his political career, and his agricultural background has been a consistent element of his public identity. He has emphasized his roots as a farmer in his political messaging and policy positions, particularly on matters related to property rights, land use, and agricultural policy.

Stutzman's engagement with his local community has extended beyond his official duties. In 2025, he participated in local events and media appearances in the Fort Wayne and northeastern Indiana area, maintaining a visible presence in his district.

Political Positions

Stutzman has positioned himself as a fiscal conservative throughout his political career. During his first tenure in Congress, he was aligned with the more conservative members of the Republican caucus, particularly during debates over government spending and the federal debt ceiling.

In his second tenure, Stutzman has taken positions on housing policy, advocating against institutional investors' purchases of single-family homes. He has also engaged with trade policy, cryptocurrency regulation, and Middle East policy through his work on the Financial Services Committee and in media appearances.

On matters of intraparty politics, Stutzman has shown a willingness to challenge fellow Republicans when he disagrees with their approach, as demonstrated by his 2025 criticism of Indiana Senate Republicans over redistricting.