REPLACING:
Larry Buchson (R)
WORK HISTORY:
Messmer Mechanical (Owner); Indiana General Assembly (State Senator); Indiana House of Representatives (State Representative); John Brown Engineers & Constructors (Project Engineer); Dow Chemical (Project Engineer)[i]
EDUCATION:
BSME, Purdue University[ii]
CAMPAIGNED ON:
Pro-Life; Cryptocurrency; Israel; Border Security[iii]
ON THE ISSUES
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:
Endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Messmer pledges to “continue to defend the unborn and work to expand adoption and other abortion alternatives.”[iv] Susan B. Anthony touts Messmer’s work in the state Senate on the issue, writing that Indiana “is one of the strongest pro-life states in the country thanks to Messmer’s unwavering leadership.”[v]
IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:
Messmer advocates for securing the border, deporting illegal immigrants, and ending birthright citizenship. He touts his work in the state Senate on immigration, including voting to allow law enforcement to detain illegal aliens that have committed a felony and voting to ban sanctuary universities.[vi]
ECONOMY & JOBS:
Messmer’s campaign platform includes updating regulations around cryptocurrencies, arguing that “outdated laws” jeopardize innovation and consumer safety.[vii]
TAXES:
In June 2024, Messmer signed Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, promising to oppose and vote against income tax hikes.[viii] In the Indiana legislature, he supported a 2022 budget that gradually reduced the state’s income tax rate.[ix]
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:
The Evansville Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Messmer’s candidacy.[x] In 2023, he supported increasing the starting pay for Indiana State Police to $70,000 per year.[xi]
CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:
As Chairman of the Indiana Senate Environmental Affairs Committee, Messmer declined to take up a bill confronting the climate crisis.[xii] Additionally, Messmer supported a bill that would prevent the state from contracting with providers that have made environmental, social and governance investments.[xiii] However, he also authored a bill that would encourage consistent standards for solar and wind energy, a follow-up to a 2022 bill that created a voluntary renewable energy program.[xiv]
FOREIGN POLICY:
Messmer has argued that the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement undermines “the possibility of peace and stability in the region,” pledging to stand in solidarity with Israel.[xv] The Republican Jewish Coalition’s super PAC spent around $1 million supporting his candidacy.[xvi]
HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:
When the Affordable Care Act became law, Messmer expressed concerns about the “efficiency and cost of the system,” despite there being “few worthy goals,” such as allowing dependent coverage for individuals up to 26 and removing pre-existing condition exclusions.[xvii] In 2023, Messmer supported a state bill requiring health care entities to give the Attorney General’s office a 90-day notice of a planned merger or acquisition if the assets are at least $10 million.[xviii]
DEMOCRACY:
While serving in the Indiana legislature, Messmer supported a bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote.[xix]
SOCIAL ISSUES:
In the Indiana legislature, Messmer co-authored a bill that would prohibit physicians from providing gender transition procedures to minors.[xx] In 2018, he joined with a group of Republican Victory Committee members who opposed changing the state’s platform that favors “marriage between a man and a woman.”[xxi]
[i] Mark Messmer LinkedIn, available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-messmer-a562856/details/experience/.
[ii] Mark Messmer LinkedIn, available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-messmer-a562856/details/experience/.
[iii] Issues, Mark Messmer for Congress, available at https://www.markmessmer.com/issues/.
[iv] Issues, Mark Messmer for Congress, available at https://www.markmessmer.com/issues/.
[v] Mark Messmer, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, available at https://sbaprolife.org/candidate/mark-messmer.
[vi] Issues, Mark Messmer for Congress, available at https://www.markmessmer.com/issues/.
[vii] Issues, Mark Messmer for Congress, available at https://www.markmessmer.com/issues/.
[viii] Preston Shirazi, “Mark Messmer Makes “No New Taxes” Promise to Voters in IN-08 Race,” Americans for Tax Reform, June 27, 2024, available at https://www.atr.org/mark-messmer-makes-no-new-taxes-promise-to-voters-in-in-08-race/.
[ix] Press Release, “Messmer Report: Working to reduce taxes,” Indiana Senate Republicans, available at https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/messmer-report-working-to-reduce-taxes.
[x] Jana Garrett, “Evansville FOP endorses Messmer for 8th District Congress,” Tri State Home Page, April 15, 2024, available at https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/your-local-election-hq/evansville-fop-endorses-messmer-for-8th-district-congress/.
[xi] Press Release, “Statement from State Sen. Mark Messmer,” Indiana Senate Republicans, available at https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/statement-from-state-sen-mark-messmer.
[xii] Noe Padilla, “Confront the Climate Crisis group disappointed bill denied a hearing,” Lafayette Journal & Courier, January 27, 2022, available at https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2022/01/27/lafayette-confront-climate-crisis-disappointed-bill-dies/9226037002/.
[xiii] Press Release, “Messmer Report: Maximizing Indiana's investments,” Indiana Senate Republicans, available at https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/messmer-report-maximizing-indiana-s-investments.
[xiv] Press Release, “Messmer: Bill encouraging consistent standards for solar and wind energy passes House committee,” Indiana Senate Republicans, available at https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/messmer-bill-encouraging-consistent-standards-for-solar-and-wind-energy-passes-house-committee.
[xv] Issues, Mark Messmer for Congress, available at https://www.markmessmer.com/issues/.
[xvi] Daniel Marans, “Why Pro-Israel Groups Are Targeting An Indiana Republican,” Huffington Post, May 6, 2024, available at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-hostettler-pro-israel-groups-gop-primary_n_6638117ee4b0e44cfb120fb4.
[xvii] Press Release, “Messmer Report: Obamacare: anything but affordable,” Indiana House Republicans, June 10, 2011, available at https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/news/press-releases/r63-messmer-report-obamacare-anything-but-affordable/.
[xviii] Press Release, “Messmer Report: Lowering Hoosiers' health care costs,” Indiana Senate Republicans, available at https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/messmer-report-lowering-hoosiers-health-care-costs.
[xix] Issues, Mark Messmer for Congress, available at https://www.markmessmer.com/issues/.
[xx] Senate Bill 480, Indiana General Assembly, available at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/senate/480/details.
[xxi] Aileen Chuang, “Indiana House Speaker Opposes State GOP Platform Changes,” WFYI Indianapolis, June 7, 2018, available at https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indiana-house-speaker-opposes-state-gop-platform-changes.
