{ "id": "epp2qmgsa0", "slug": "mark-messmer", "title": "Mark Messmer", "updated": "2026-10-12", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members", "label": "US House members", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives", "label": "Midwestern state representatives", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives.alpha-m-to-y", "label": "Surnames M to Y", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives.alpha-m-to-y" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: Midwestern state representatives", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members", "label": "US House members", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives", "label": "Midwestern state representatives", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Mark B. Messmer, born 1967, is an American Republican politician serving as U.S. Representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2025, after serving as an Indiana state legislator.", "snippet": "Mark B. Messmer, born 1967, is an American Republican politician serving as U.S. Representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2025, after serving as an Indiana state legislator.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-house-members.midwestern-state-representatives.alpha-m-to-y", "markdown": "# Mark Messmer\n\nMark B. Messmer (born 1967) is an American politician and the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district.[1](https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001233) A Republican, he began his current term on January 3, 2025, after being elected in 2024.[2](https://election.org/federal/house/indiana/district-8) Before Congress, he served as an Indiana state legislator.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) He is the Republican nominee for the district's seat on the November 3, 2026, ballot.[4](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican[1](https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001233) |\n| Current office | U.S. Representative, Indiana's 8th district (term began January 3, 2025)[1](https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001233) |\n| Previous offices | Indiana Statehouse (state legislator)[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) |\n| Born | 1967[1](https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001233) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nMessmer has been a Republican throughout his congressional service, which began on January 3, 2025.[1](https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001233) He won the Republican primary for Indiana's 8th district on May 5, 2026, and is the party's nominee for the November 3, 2026, general election.[4](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)\n\n## Early life and career\n\nMessmer was born and raised in Southern Indiana.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) He and his wife Kim have been married for 39 years and have raised four children together.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) His official biography describes the couple as small business owners.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) They are active members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, where Messmer has served as a music minister, on the Parish Council, on the Holy Family School Board, and in the Cursillo program.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/)\n\nBefore Congress, Messmer served in the Indiana Statehouse as a state legislator.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) He was sworn in as a member of the [United States House of Representatives](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-states-house-of-representatives) by the Speaker of the House on January 3, 2025, representing Indiana's 8th Congressional District.[5](https://messmer.house.gov) In the House, he serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Agriculture Committee, and the [Education](https://www.edgepedia.org/education) and Workforce Committee.[3](https://messmer.house.gov/about/) A committee tracker also lists him on the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee.[6](https://myreptracker.com/indiana/legislators/us-house-in-8-mark-b-messmer)\n\n## Electoral history\n\nIn the 2024 general election for Indiana's 8th district U.S. House seat, Messmer received 219,941 votes, or 67.96 percent.[2](https://election.org/federal/house/indiana/district-8) He won the Republican primary on May 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election.[4](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)\n\n## Issues specific to Messmer\n\n[His House](https://www.edgepedia.org/his-house) office has highlighted several initiatives. He introduced legislation described by his office as a bill to advance Ready Reserve Force modernization, hosted a tax event about the One Big Beautiful Bill, held an apprenticeship roundtable on workforce development, convened a roundtable on services for veterans, and honored Evansville veteran Ken Eppler by displaying patriotic artwork at the U.S. Capitol.[5](https://messmer.house.gov) His office also announced that the House Education and Workforce Committee passed his deregulation legislation and that he applauded House passage of the [Sunshine Protection Act](https://www.edgepedia.org/sunshine-protection-act).[5](https://messmer.house.gov) At a Republican Study Committee roundtable, his office said he spoke against what it called the chemical abortion crisis.[5](https://messmer.house.gov)\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### Immigration\n\nOn January 22, 2025, Messmer voted for the [Laken Riley Act](https://www.edgepedia.org/laken-riley-act) (S. 5), which passed the House 263 to 156.[7](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190022) The act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain non-U.S. nationals who have been arrested for offenses including burglary, theft, and assault of a law enforcement officer, and authorizes states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement decisions.[7](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190022)\n\n### Elections\n\nOn April 10, 2025, Messmer voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), which passed 220 to 208.[8](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190101) The bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.[8](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190101)\n\n### Taxes and budget\n\nOn May 22, 2025, Messmer voted for the reconciliation act H.R. 1, known in the House Clerk's record as the [One Big Beautiful Bill Act](https://www.edgepedia.org/one-big-beautiful-bill-act), which passed 215 to 214; he voted again for the Senate amendment on July 3, 2025, when it passed 218 to 214.[9](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190144) • [10](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190189) The act reduces taxes, changes spending for federal programs, and increases the statutory debt limit.[9](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190144) On June 12, 2025, he voted for the [Rescissions Act of 2025](https://www.edgepedia.org/rescissions-act-of-2025), which passed 214 to 212 and rescinds unobligated funds provided to the Department of State, USAID, and other agencies, including the [Corporation for Public Broadcasting](https://www.edgepedia.org/corporation-for-public-broadcasting).[11](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190167) On June 9, 2026, he voted for the Secure America Act (S. 2), which passed 214 to 212.[12](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190574)\n\n### Foreign policy and defense\n\nOn June 4, 2026, Messmer voted against the Ukraine Support Act (H.R. 2913), which passed 226 to 195; the bill provides assistance to Ukraine and certain European countries and establishes penalties for Russia and certain foreign persons.[13](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190567) On July 22, 2026, he voted for the [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-defense-authorization-act-for-fiscal-year-2027) (H.R. 8800), which passed 216 to 212 and sets policies and authorities for Department of Defense programs, personnel strength, and military construction.[14](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190638)\n\n### Health care and finance\n\nOn December 17, 2025, Messmer voted for the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703), which passed 216 to 211.[15](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190348) On July 17, 2025, he voted for the GENIUS Act (S. 1582), which passed 308 to 122 and establishes a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, permitting only approved issuers to issue them for use by U.S. persons.[16](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190199)\n\n## Other recorded votes\n\n| Date | Measure | Vote | Tally | Result |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| 2025-11-12 | Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (H.R. 5371)[17](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190284) | Yes | 222 to 209 | Passed |\n| 2026-02-03 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148)[18](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190413) | Yes | 217 to 214 | Passed |\n\n## References\n\n1. [Congressional Biographical Directory: Mark B. Messmer](https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001233)\n2. [Election.org: Indiana District 8](https://election.org/federal/house/indiana/district-8)\n3. [Biography | U.S. Representative Mark Messmer](https://messmer.house.gov/about/)\n4. [FEC 2026 election dates](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2026pdates.pdf)\n5. [U.S. Representative Mark Messmer, official website](https://messmer.house.gov)\n6. [MyRepTracker: Mark B. Messmer](https://myreptracker.com/indiana/legislators/us-house-in-8-mark-b-messmer)\n7. [Voteview RH1190022: Laken Riley Act](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190022)\n8. [Voteview RH1190101: SAVE Act](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190101)\n9. [Voteview RH1190144: H.R. 1](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190144)\n10. [Voteview RH1190189: H.R. 1 Senate amendment](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190189)\n11. [Voteview RH1190167: Rescissions Act of 2025](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190167)\n12. [Voteview RH1190574: Secure America Act](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190574)\n13. [Voteview RH1190567: Ukraine Support Act](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190567)\n14. [Voteview RH1190638: NDAA FY2027](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190638)\n15. [Voteview RH1190348: Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190348)\n16. [Voteview RH1190199: GENIUS Act](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190199)\n17. [Roll call RH1190284 (VoteView)](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190284)\n18. [Roll call RH1190413 (VoteView)](https://voteview.com/rollcall/RH1190413)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US House members › Midwestern state representatives › Surnames M to Y*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 29, 2026; Oct 12, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Mark Messmer\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Mark Messmer](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Mark Messmer\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-messmer. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Mark B. Messmer, born 1967, is an American Republican politician serving as U.S. Representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2025, after serving as an Indiana state legislator." }