Mark Messmer is a member of the Indiana Senate. In addition, he previously held a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives. Now, Messmer has set his sights on the United States House of Representatives.
Messmer is running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House from the 8th District of Indiana, which is includes the Evansville and Terre Haute regions. Incumbent Larry Bucshon, also a Republican, has announced that he will not seek re-election.
Messmer was first elected to the Indiana Senate in 2014, succeeding retiring Democrat Lindel Hume, who was the Senate Minority Whip. Since then, Messmer has won two more terms.
In 2022, Senate Majority Leader Rodric Bray, a member of an Indiana political dynasty, was elevated to the role Senate President Pro Tempore. Messmer was chosen as the new Majority Leader.
But four years later, Messmer gave up his leadership role to challenge Bray for that of President Pro Tempore. The challange was ultimately unsuccessful. His other Senate roles have included being Chairman of the Senate’s Joint Rules Committee, Environmental Affairs Committee and Commerce and Technology Committee; as well as Ranking Member of its Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee.