Zach Payne
Zach Payne | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 66th district | |
| Assumed office November 4, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Terry Goodin |
| County Recorder of Clark County, Indiana | |
| In office January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2018 | |
| Succeeded by | Terry Conway[1] |
| Member of the Jeffersonville, Indiana City Council | |
| In office January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Callie Jahn[1][2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Zachary Charles Payne February 24, 1989 Louisville, Kentucky |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 1 [3] |
| Residence | Charlestown, Indiana |
| Education | Charter Oak State College (BS) University of Southern Indiana (MBA) Purdue University (MS) South College (DBA)[4] |
Zach Payne (born February 24, 1989) is an American politician and businessman who has served in the Indiana House of Representatives from the 66th district since 2020. Payne previously served as a member of the Jeffersonville, Indiana City Council and as the Clark County, Indiana County Recorder.[3]
Early life and education
Payne was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and later moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana. He attended Jeffersonville High School and graduated from New Albany High School.[5] He earned a Bachelor of Science from Charter Oak State College, an MBA from the University of Southern Indiana, and a Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University[6]
Political career
Jeffersonville City Council
Payne was elected to the Jeffersonville City Council in 2011 at age 22. He won the general election for District 3 with 42.6% of the vote against Independent Eric Hedrick (30.7%) and Democrat Janice Sinkhorn (26.7%).[7] He served from 2012 to 2014.
Clark County Recorder
Payne was elected Clark County Recorder in 2014 and served from 2015 to 2018. He was unopposed in the Republican primary.[8]
Indiana House of Representatives
Payne was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2020, defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Terry Goodin.[9] He was re-elected in 2022 and 2024. As of 2025, he serves as Vice Chair of the Elections and Apportionment Committee, and is a member of the Education, and Employment, Labor, and Pensions Committees.[10]
Payne is considered one of the most conservative legislators in Indiana, receiving high ratings from organizations such as the Freedom Index and Indiana Scorecard. In 2024, he was endorsed by former Congressman Ron Paul and current Congressman Thomas Massie.[11][12][13]
He has sponsored and supported legislation on school choice, income tax cuts, gun rights (including constitutional carry and red flag repeal), immigration enforcement, and government accountability.[14][15]
Personal life
Payne lives in Charlestown, Indiana, with his wife Callie and their child. He is the founder of a custom print and design business.
Elections
- 2011 Primary election - Payne was unopposed in the Republican Primary for Jeffersonville City Council - District 3.[16]
- 2011 General Election - At 22 years old, Payne was elected with 42.6% of the vote to serve on the Jeffersonville City Council against Independent Eric Hedrick (30.7%) and Democrat Janice Sinkhorn (26.7%).[17]
- 2014 Primary Election - Payne was unopposed in the Republican Primary for Clark County Recorder.[18]
- 2014 General Election - Payne was elected to be the Clark County Recorder with 53.58% of the vote against Democrat Lincoln Crum's 46.42%.[19]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Payne | 2,866 | 52.5 | ||
| Republican | Brian Tibbs | 2,594 | 47.5 | ||
| Total votes | 5,460 | 100.0 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Payne | 16,585 | 55.8 | ||
| Democratic | Terry Goodin (incumbent) | 13,160 | 44.2 | ||
| Total votes | 29,745 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Payne (incumbent) | 14,565 | 69.9 | ||
| Democratic | Nancy McDevitt | 6,260 | 30.1 | ||
| Total votes | 20,825 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Payne (incumbent) | 5,221 | 76.4 | ||
| Republican | Jim Baker | 1,613 | 23.6 | ||
| Total votes | 6,834 | 100.0 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Zach Payne (incumbent) | 22,507 | 69.4% | ||
| Democratic | Jennifer David | 9,926 | 30.6% | ||
| Total votes | 32,433 | 100.0 | |||
References
- ^ a b "Clark County Indiana Election Results". www.co.clark.in.us.
- ^ "District 3's Callie Jahn Payne resigning from Jeff city council". April 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Zach Payne | State of Indiana House of Representatives". www.indianahouserepublicans.com.
- ^ https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/148158/zach-payne
- ^ "Indiana House District 66 candidates 2024". WLKY. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Zach Payne Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "New faces dominate Jeffersonville council wins". November 8, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "FIRST TO FILE: 2014 election season begins in Southern Indiana". January 8, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Zach Payne". Ballot Ready. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/zach-payne/
- ^ "Freedom Voter Guide – Zach Payne". Freedom Voter Guide. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Freedom Index". Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Indiana Scorecard - Zach Payne". Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Indiana lawmakers back bills on health care, education, government oversight". Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Indiana jails must notify ICE under new law". Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Count them in: 22 file for Clark County elections". News and Tribune. January 20, 2011.
- ^ "New faces dominate Jeffersonville council wins". November 8, 2011.
- ^ LAMMERSchris.morris@newsandtribune.com, CHRIS MORRIS and BRADEN (January 8, 2014). "FIRST TO FILE: 2014 election season begins in Southern Indiana". News and Tribune.
- ^ "Clark County Indiana Election Results". Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Indiana House of Representatives District 66".
- ^ "Indiana Election Results".
- ^ https://ballotpedia.org/Zach_Payne