The Successor
Rudy Yakym has held IN-02 since winning a 2022 special election to replace Jackie Walorski, who died in a car accident. He won the 2024 general with 62.7% and is not expected to face a serious challenge in 2026.
Yakym is a businessman and former finance director for Walorski's campaigns. He was selected by Republican precinct committee members in a convention process after Walorski's death -- not through a primary or special election open to all voters. He went on to win the November 2022 special election and the simultaneous general election for the new term.
The district covers the South Bend-Elkhart manufacturing corridor, home to the RV industry and a significant Amish community. Despite South Bend's Democratic lean (it was Pete Buttigieg's home base), the district's R+8 PVI and rural composition make it reliably Republican.
The Money
Yakym is the top fundraiser in Indiana's Republican congressional delegation at $2.94M raised, with $1.49M cash on hand.[1] He received $778K in PAC contributions -- the highest in the delegation -- while holding a seat he won by 25 points. The PAC pattern reflects Washington's interest in maintaining relationships with reliable votes, not shaping competitive outcomes.