Mark Messmer | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's8th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Bucshon |
| Majority Leader of theIndiana Senate | |
| In office November 7, 2018 – August 17, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Rodric Bray |
| Succeeded by | Chris Garten |
| Member of theIndiana Senate from the 48th district | |
| In office November 5, 2014 – September 3, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Lindel Hume |
| Succeeded by | Daryl Schmitt |
| Member of theIndiana House of Representatives from the 63rd district | |
| In office November 5, 2008 – November 5, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Dave Crooks |
| Succeeded by | Mike Braun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mark Brian Messmer September 1962 (age 63) Jasper, Indiana, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kim Messmer |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Purdue University (BS) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Mark Brian Messmer[1] (born September 1962)[2] is an American politician who has served as theU.S. representative forIndiana's 8th congressional district since 2025. A member of theRepublican Party, he previously represented the 48th district in theIndiana Senate from 2014 to 2024, including as majority leader of the chamber from 2018 to 2022. Messmer is a former member of theIndiana House of Representatives, representing three terms for the 63rd district from November 5, 2008, to November 4, 2014. He previously served on the Holy Family School Board from 2001 to 2004. He served as its president from 2003 to 2004.
Messmer supported the state mandated purchase ofsyngas through coal gasification technology.[3] Developers ofLeucadia National proposed a $2.6 billionsyngas plant inRockport, Indiana. Under the terms of the deal endorsed by Messmer, the state of Indiana would have bought syngas under a 30-year contract and then mandate that utilities within the state pass on any losses from the transaction on to Hoosier customers.[4] Gas from the plant would make up about 17 percent of the state's supply. The deal received criticism due to government intrusion in the energy markets, and for forcing consumers to sign up for risky long-term gas purchases at prices substantially higher than market prices.[5][6] Questions were also raised due toLeucadia National hiring Mark Lubbers to promote the deal. Lubbers is a former aide and close friend of former governorMitch Daniels.[7] The project was ultimately panned by the state legislature in 2013.[8]
In 2022, Messmer sponsored a bill that bans the foreign ownership of agricultural land in Indiana.[9][10] He also sponsored bills in 2022 to provide in-state tuition and drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.[11]
In February 2024, Messmer announced his candidacy forIndiana's 8th congressional district in the2024 election.[12] He defeated formerU.S. RepresentativeJohn Hostettler in the primary by a wide margin of roughly 20 points. He resigned from the Indiana Senate in September 2024 in order to focus on his campaign.[13] Messmer would later go on to defeat his Democratic opponent, Erik Hurt.[14]
Rep. Messmer was sworn into the119th United States Congress on January 3, 2025.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Messmer | 30,668 | 38.5 | |
| Republican | John Hostettler | 15,649 | 19.7 | |
| Republican | Richard Moss | 11,227 | 14.1 | |
| Republican | Dominick Kavanaugh | 9,397 | 11.8 | |
| Republican | Kristi Risk | 7,350 | 9.2 | |
| Republican | Luke Misner | 2,287 | 2.9 | |
| Republican | Jim Case | 2,107 | 2.6 | |
| Republican | Jeremy Heath | 944 | 1.2 | |
| Total votes | 79,629 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Messmer | 219,941 | 68.0 | |
| Democratic | Erik Hurt | 95,311 | 29.5 | |
| Libertarian | Richard Fitzlaff | 8,381 | 2.6 | |
| Total votes | 323,633 | 100.0 | ||
| Indiana Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Majority Leader of theIndiana Senate 2018–2022 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's 8th congressional district 2025–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 408th | Succeeded by |
