Monitor evolving ESG laws with Ballotpedia’s fact-based, free tool. Get the info you need in seconds—visit the tracker!

John Rust

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
BP-Initials-UPDATED.png
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
John Rust
Image of John Rust

Republican Party

Education

High school

Jennings County High School

Bachelor's

Indiana University, 1990

Personal
Birthplace
Seymour, Ind.
Religion
Lutheran
Profession
Farmer/Businessman
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

John Rust (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Indiana. He was disqualified from the Republican primary scheduled on May 7, 2024.

Rust completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

On February 27, 2024, the bipartisan Indiana Elections Commission voted unanimously to remove Rust from the Republican primary ballot for U.S. Senate. The Indiana Supreme Court upheld this decision, issuing an opinion that Rust did not meet the state's party affiliation statute necessary to run in the race. Rust told reporters he will appeal the decision.[1]

Rust previously served as the chairman of Rose Acre Farms, a national egg producer. He stepped down as chairman in 2023 to focus on his campaign for U.S. Senate.[2]

Biography

John Rust was born in Seymour, Indiana. He earned a high school diploma from Jennings County High School and a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1990. His career experience includes working as a farmer and businessman.[3]

Elections

2024

See also: United States Senate election in Indiana, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Indiana

Jim Banks defeated Valerie McCray, Andy Horning, Phillip Beachy, and Antonio Alvarez in the general election for U.S. Senate Indiana on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Banks
Jim Banks (R)
 
58.6
 
1,659,416
Image of Valerie McCray
Valerie McCray (D) Candidate Connection
 
38.8
 
1,097,061
Image of Andy Horning
Andy Horning (L) Candidate Connection
 
2.6
 
73,233
Image of Phillip Beachy
Phillip Beachy (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
168
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Antonio Alvarez (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
19

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,829,897
Candidate Connection = 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

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Indiana

Valerie McCray defeated Marc Carmichael in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Indiana on May 7, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Valerie McCray
Valerie McCray Candidate Connection
 
68.0
 
121,734
Image of Marc Carmichael
Marc Carmichael Candidate Connection
 
32.0
 
57,256

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 178,990
Candidate Connection = 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

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Indiana

Jim Banks advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Indiana on May 7, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Banks
Jim Banks
 
100.0
 
475,729

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 475,729
Candidate Connection = 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

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. Senate Indiana

Andy Horning advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. Senate Indiana on March 2, 2024.

Candidate
✔
Image of Andy Horning
Andy Horning (L) Candidate Connection

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

Candidate Connection = 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.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Rust in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

John Rust completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rust's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

John Rust is a 6th Generation Indiana Farmer, Businessman, Political Outsider & Job Creator.

John is a hardworking American farmer — not a politician. He was born and raised in southern Indiana. A brother to six siblings, John was raised by his parents to understand that nothing would be handed to him. If John wanted to find success, he was going to have to work for it.

It was those values that inspired John to be the leader he is today.

As Chairman of Rose Acre Farms, John oversaw the employment of thousands of Hoosiers. Rose Acres began in the 1930’s as a small family operation with 1,000 hens but thanks to the work of John and his family and thousands of Hoosiers, it is now the second-largest egg producer in the United States.

Having signed paychecks for thousands, and overseen the management of fifteen facilities in seven states, John understands what it means to make tough decisions and find solutions to our biggest problems.

As our Senator, John will prioritize Indiana families and put our needs above political insider politics.
  • Inflation - Inflation is devastating every American, especially our seniors. John Rust knows first hand that it takes hard work to solve problems. Career Politicians work on their careers. John had dedicated his life to helping feed millions of families by making sure cost efficient and high quality farm fresh eggs remain a staple of the Hoosier breakfast, lunch and dinner table. Hard work by himself and thousands of Hoosiers helped build an American success story. John will work in Washington to make sure that the American Dream his family has lived is available for future generations.
  • Social Security - John Rust will always protect your Social Security. He is opposed ANY cuts in this vital program that you worked your whole life to achieve, and paid for. His opponent Jim Banks wants to raise the retirement age. John Rust is opposed to this cut especially. John Rust does not feel hard working taxpayers should be forced to work until they die. An honorable retirement is an earned benefit.. NOT something career politicians like Jim Banks should be allowed to take away.
  • ANTI-WOKE: John Rust will be a fighter against the WOKE mob that is trying to destroy the fabric of America by standing firm for the rights of children. Children should NEVER be subjected to pornography in schools. That is not book banning.. that is protecting children's innocence. Children should never be subjected to GENDER IDEOLOGY. There are 2 genders. Children cannot possibly understand the lifetime consequences of "Gender Affirming Care" which is in fact child mutilation. Men do NOT belong in WOMEN's sports. That is taking away the right of girls and women to compete fairly in their given sports. We have to protect the rights of women and stand up for the innocence of children.
My first priority in the United States Senate will be fighting to get inflation under control. Career politicians are destroying our economy by allowing inflation to advance unchecked. They are doing this by continually allowing for the funding of entire government agencies and departments with little or no fiscal oversight. I will make it a priority have fiscal oversight as a keystone of government spending.

The National Debt Limit recently was approved to go up by over 4 TRILLION dollars. I will fight against such measure. My opponent Jim Banks skipped the vote on this bill (f H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023). Hard working Hoosiers know that when someone doesn't show up for work, they should not ask for a promotion. Instead these career politicians continually slap Indiana taxpayers in the face by not doing their job.

I know hard work, and I will always show up for the job.

It will be the honor of my life to be your public servant.... to go to Washington and fix problems you are facing every day. That is why I am running of the U.S. Senate... The political establishment and elites are working only for themselves. I will go there to work for you. I humbly ask for your vote so that I can get to work and show what a farmer and lifelong experienced successful businessman can do for you.
Ronald Reagan - President Ronald Reagan will always be my inspiration. His relentless and positive love of country, his hard work on standing up for America in the world by rebuilding our military that had languished made the defeat of Soviet communism a reality. Peace through Strength has been a keystone of our foreign policy ever since.

President Reagan's revitalization of the U.S. economy after years of stagflation brought about a new hope for working class Americans that the American Dream was alive and well, and that prosperity could be had for all. We have to get back to this. Today the political establishment in Washington only works for themselves. We have to elect leaders who will work for the American People. I will always follow Ronald Reagan's example.

The Bible is and always has been a keystone of mine. The simple truths of the bible are touchstones for all ages and time periods. My perspective as a young American was greatly impacted by reading the book by Peter Jenkins - "A Walk Across America". In this book a disillusioned young "hippie" literally takes a walk across America.. finding out that the spirit of goodness and faith prevails across our great land was a life changing inspiration for Peter, and so many across this great land.
Truth. Far to often we have elected politicians who say one thing in their home states and practice something else entirely when back "home" in D.C. It is why we have to have fresh leadership. Honesty and Integrity fall by the wayside quickly when you are working for your own career, rather than for Hoosier voters.
Integrity and a strong love of our country. We are indeed are the greatest nation on earth. Politicians like to say that, but in my case I have truly lived the American Dream. I want to make sure that dream lives on for future generations. As Chairman of the Board of a large business I know what it takes to build coalitions to get things done that benefit all parties. I will take that experience to the United States Senate floor to work for Indiana. For far too long we have been sold out by politicians who say one thing in Indiana and act the exact opposite in Washington because they are beholden financially to the special interests. I will always only ever work for Indiana. Not the special interests.
Number one always is fiscal responsibility, and showing up for the votes when it matters. For far too long we have had elected officials that only work for themselves and the elites in Washington. I'm going to Washington to work for Indiana voters so that they know that someone is working for solutions to problems facing Hoosiers.
I want the people of Indiana to say "well done".. he did EXACTLY what he said he would do. I intend to serve 2 terms as your United States Senator and abide by term limits not just as a political promise, but as a oath of service from myself. We all hear to much about politicians who say they are for term limits, but once in power never leave. George Washington gave 2 terms to the Presidency. I intend to serve two terms in the United States Senate if the people of Indiana are willing to give me their trust. I want my legacy to be fulfilling that promise. It is for a simple reason: After too long in Washington any person loses sight of what is important and why they went their in the first place.
1976 - The Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I was only 9 years old at the time, but the celebration of the 200th anniversary of our nations birth was a keystone event with year long celebrations of the patriotic ideals of America. An early and passionate love of our country was instilled by this celebration.
My first job was when 11 years old, gathering eggs in our family's chicken houses when schools were closed during the winter blizzards of the late 1970's. I didn't appreciate it at the time.. ..back then I would have rather been out building snowmen with my friends, but looking back it was character building to do hard work at an early age. Gathering eggs was a hard job... gathering around 30 cases of eggs by hand (30 dozen eggs per case) meant it was a real job and could take up to 12 hours to complete every day! I did this all through the late 1970's whenever school was canceled or on weekends when wanting to earn money.
Peter Jenkins: A Walk Across America. It is a love story of America told by a young American as he literally walks across our great country, telling the stories of the great Americans he encounters in everyday life. Whether mountain men, factory workers, crop farmers, oil well platform workers, or cattle ranchers, his story of how hard working Americans continue to make America Great is a true inspiration.
It has been a struggle not just for me, but for my entire family and family's business to build something that helps feed so many millions of people every day. Building a large business requires near constant work hours for every waking hour. The struggle is always doing what is right... not just for yourself, but for those working for the farms, for those in the community, your neighbors, and for the consumer.
The number one issue is our nations debt. The skyrocketing national debt is hurting everyone by causing inflation to spin out of control. We have to bring back fiscal responsibility to Washington. We have to do that by having annual budgets that are reviewed and scrutinized for EVERY department of government. Continuing resolutions and omnibus spending bills that kick the can down the road do not allow for proper legislative fiscal oversight. I will fight for Congress to be stewards of taxpayers hard earned taxes. We have to have Senators who work for taxpayers, and not their own careers. The national debt per taxpayer today is going up almost $300.00 per week. This is not sustainable. As a businessman I have signed the front of thousands of paychecks. I know what it takes in a bad economy to face challenges and to succeed. Hard choices have to be made and you have to show up for the job you are elected to do.
George Washington set the precedent for 2 terms in office, then you get out. I will strongly support and fight for term limits and pledge to abide by 2 terms for myself. I am not going to Washington to work for a career. I am going to Washington to work for the people of Indiana. After anyone is in office too long they lose sight of why they went there in the first place. I will follow the example of George Washington. All of our elected leaders should do so.
The U.S. Senate has unique rolls that distinguish it from any other part of Government. While a co-equal institution to the House of Representatives in terms of passing legislation, the Senate has the unique roll of providing advice and consent to the President on treaties, judicial appointments, and executive appointees.
No. We have to have Senators who have experience in the real world. For far too long the political insiders in Washington have only worked for themselves and the elites. I want to bring my experience as a life-long farmer and successful businessman to the United States Senate to fix problems facing Hoosiers. This means Fiscal Responsibility to control inflation, protecting Social Security so that promised benefits to all working people protected from career politicians, and that those receiving Social Security today never see their benefits cut.
It is an essential tool to protect the power of United States Senate as a unique body. It provides a necessary constraint on majority rule by making sure that the rights of any interest still have to be taken into account by forcing compromise. Removing this power would make the Senate just another version of the House where simple majority rule disregards the interests of any given group in the minority.
A combination of Harry S Truman & Barry Goldwater.
Whether they are qualified for the job, whether they have the judicial temperament to do the job, and whether they will adhere to the United States Constitution.
I intend to work with any U.S. Senator of any party when it comes to helping the people of Indiana.
My goal is always Indiana first, not the special interests. Because of my unique business experience in having farms in 7 states and selling eggs all states, I have first hand knowledge of our interwoven economy and interstate commerce. Accomplishing anything in the United States Senate requires comity and working together. At times obstruction must happen, but for the good of the nation and for the well being of our citizens United States Senators must work together to accomplish meaningful positive results for our citizens. Because of my working experience I will have an advantage off the bat to hit the ground running in the United States Senate to accomplish coalitions that work to benefit Indiana.
It is necessary when desirable when desired goals can be achieved.
Harry S Truman lead the charge on using the investigative powers of the Senate to save billions during World War II. This same spirit of watching out for the taxpayer's hard earned tax dollars must be brought back to the United States Senate.
none - John Rust is a political outsider running to work for Hoosier Voters. The only endorsement I want is of the Indiana voter.
Whether they are actually qualified to do the job they have been nominated to take. And if qualified, to find out how they plan to achieve the goals of their job.

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.

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.

John Rust campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. Senate IndianaDisqualified primary$2,992,413 $3,932,844
Grand total$2,992,413 $3,932,844
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

Noteworthy events

Indiana Supreme Court rules Rust is ineligible to run in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate (2024)

See also: United States Senate election in Indiana, 2024 (May 7 Republican primary)

In February 2024, the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Election Commission both declared Rust ineligible to run in the 2024 U.S. Senate Republican primary in Indiana because he did not meet the state's party affiliation statute.[4] The statute, which is part of an Indiana law that passed in 2021, says that candidates’ two most recent votes in party primaries must be in the primaries of the party they plan to run in to be eligible to appear on the ballot.[5] Candidates who do not meet those requirements can ask for permission to appear on the ballot from the local county’s party chair.

Rust's most recent votes in party primaries were Republican in 2016 and Democratic in 2012. Jackson County Republican Party Chair Amanda Lowery did not grant Rust an exception to the law. In September 2023, Rust sued Lowery, the Indiana Election Commission, and Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales in an effort to get his name on the 2024 Republican primary ballot.[6] Rust filed suit in Marion County asking Judge Patrick Dietrick to declare the 2021 law unconstitutional.

Dietrick ruled in favor of Rust in December 2023.[7] The defendants appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in February 2024.[8] On February 27, 2024, the Indiana Election Commission voted unanimously to remove Rust from the ballot, and the Indiana Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision and upheld the law as constitutional.[9] Rust said he intended to appeal the commission’s decision and would consider appealing the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

See also

2024 Elections

Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
What's on the ballot?
U.S. President
U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress special elections
State executives
State legislatures
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards
Election analysis hub

Government

Seal of Indiana.png
Who represents me?
U.S. Congress
State executives
State legislators
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards

Newsletters

Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
The Daily Brew
The Weekly Brew
The Ballot Bulletin
Checks and Balances
Economy and Society
Hall Pass
Number of the Day
Robe & Gavel


External links

Candidate

U.S. Senate Indiana
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ IndyStar, "Jim Banks won't face Republican challenger in May. Here's who was removed from the ballot.," February 27, 2024
    2. ↑ Indianapolis Star, "U.S. Senate candidate's family business found liable in egg price-fixing," November 22, 2023
    3. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 21, 2023
    4. ↑ Indianapolis Star, "Jim Banks won't face Republican challenger in May. Here's who was removed from the ballot," February 27, 2024
    5. ↑ Indiana Capital Chronicle, "Judge finds primary law unconstitutional; grants Rust injunction," December 7, 2023
    6. ↑ Indiana Capital Chronicle, "Egg farmer John Rust files lawsuit to face U.S. Rep. Jim Banks in Indiana’s 2024 Senate primary," September 19, 2023
    7. ↑ Indiana Public Media, "Judge rules for John Rust in lawsuit to get on U.S. Senate GOP primary ballot," December 8, 2023
    8. ↑ Associated Press, "Indiana high court weighs Senate hopeful’s challenge to limit on who can seek party nominations," February 12, 2024
    9. ↑ Indianapolis Star, "Jim Banks won't face Republican challenger in May. Here's who was removed from the ballot," February 27, 2024


    Indiana's current delegation to the United States Congress
    Senators
    Jim Banks (R)
    Todd Young (R)
    Representatives
    District 1
    District 2
    District 3
    District 4
    Jim Baird (R)
    District 5
    District 6
    District 7
    District 8
    District 9
    Republican Party (9)
    Democratic Party (2)


    Flag of Indiana
    v • e
    State of Indiana
    Indianapolis (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy


    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=John_Rust&oldid=9917396"