# Mark Messmer

Mark Alan Messmer (born December 16, 1967) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the 48th district in the Indiana Senate from 2014 to 2024, including as majority leader of the chamber from 2018 to 2022. Messmer is a former member of the Indiana 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.

## Indiana House of Representatives

Messmer supported the state mandated purchase of syngas through coal gasification technology. Developers of Leucadia National proposed a $2.6 billion syngas plant in Rockport, 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. 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. Questions were also raised due to Leucadia National hiring Mark Lubbers to promote the deal. Lubbers is a former aide and close friend of former governor Mitch Daniels. The project was ultimately panned by the state legislature in 2013.
In 2022, Messmer sponsored a bill that bans the foreign ownership of agricultural land in Indiana. He also sponsored bills in 2022 to provide in-state tuition and drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.

## U.S. House of Representatives

In February 2024, Messmer announced his candidacy for Indiana's 8th congressional district in the 2024 election. He defeated former U.S. Representative John Hostettler in 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. Messmer would later go on to defeat his Democratic opponent, Erik Hurt.

### Tenure

Rep. Messmer was sworn into the 119th United States Congress on January 3, 2025.

### Committee assignments

* Committee on Agriculture
** Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology
** Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
** Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development
* Committee on Armed Services
** Subcommittee on Readiness
** Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
* Committee on Education and Workforce
** Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
** Subcommittee on Workforce Protections (Vice Chair)

## Electoral history

2024 Indiana's 8th congressional district Republican primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 79,629 | 100.0 |
2024 Indiana's 8th congressional district election :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 323,633 | 100.0 |

## Personal life

Messmer is a Catholic.