District 63

Indiana Right to Life Endorses Mark Messmer

prospergroup — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:25:38 -0500

Evansville’s Courier and Press remarks that Candidate Mark Messmer’s endorsement might have the ability to sway Indiana House Control.

An Indiana anti-abortion group has endorsed the Republican candidate in a Southwestern Indiana legislative race that has the potential to decide political control of the state House of Representatives next year.
At events Tuesday in Jasper, and Washington, Ind., the Indiana Right to Life political action committee endorsed Mark Messmer, the Republican running for the open Indiana House District 63 seat.

Mark Messmer door-to-door round-up

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:12:43 -0500

Republican State Rep candidate Mark Messmer blogs about his door to door blitz from Saturday. They hit a couple thousand doors.

I have always enjoyed going door-to-door and visiting with people around the district. Well, this Saturday my wife Kim got the chance to go along with me for the day. Now she knows why I like it so much! It is amazing how nice the people are that we have met, and how glad they are to have someone ask them what they think. It's also surprising how many say that no one has ever been to see them! How do you do this job and not ask people what they think?

Mark Messmer campaign in full swing

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:52:01 -0500

Mark Messmer has been campaigning hard in Southern Indiana. Check out his most recent blog post about campaigning in Martin County.

My most rewarding stops today were at homes of people that traditionally consider themselves Democrats.
The traditional Democrats in southern Indiana are very conservative people. When I talk about Prolife issues, family values issues, property tax reform, making government more responsible for their spending, education reform ideas that I have, and illegal immigration issues, a typical local Democrat says they really like what they hear.

I have had several say, "Aren't those basically the ideas of the Democrats?" I hear it so often and I should be surprised, but based on what the media prints every day and what the national television broadcasters say every day, I am not. These ideas have almost no support from leadership at the state or national level from any Democrats.
My morning was spent in Martin County at the Martin County Ag-Day at the 4-H Fair Grounds. Paul Mcfeater was again a great help in introducing me to several supporters from the District 63 area of Martin County. Thank you Paul!
The afternoon was spent in Pike county going door-to-door to about (50) houses, and I couldn't have had a better day. The lead-in story above was from those visits. Today was the closest I came to getting bitten by a dog though! (I think that's the only bad part of door-to-door work).

House retirements present opportunity for Republican majority in 2008

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:46:54 -0500

Indiana politico Brian Howey ran a blurb in his daily wire about retirements in the House.

Eight House incumbents declined to seek re-election as filing deadline passed on Friday (Howey Politics Indiana). They include: Democrats Joe Micon, Dave Crooks, Phil Hoy and David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays who are seeking the 7th CD. House Republicans decling to run include Eric Gutwein, Mike Ripley and Larry Buell. (emphasis ours)

Certainly the Micon seat and the Crooks seat, districts that Bush 2004 won handily, are major opportunities for Republicans. Republicans have recruited excellent candidates in Mark Messmer (HD63) and Randy Truitt (HD26).

Howey didn’t mention the Denbo district, also a red seat that is now occupied by an appointed freshman Democrat.

However, the Hoy seat and the Orentlicher seat have been competitive in recent cycles. In Orentlicher's seat, Republican Adam Nelson is the candidate.

If nothing else, 2008 will be a year where Democrats will be forced to defend a lot of open seat races.

Washington Times on Republican Candidate Mark Messmer

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:00:31 -0500

Washington Times: Messmer Seeks GOP Nod for District 63 Seat

At the time of the filing, Messmer noted, “Today, we are taking the next step of this campaign. After knocking on hundreds of doors and meeting thousands of voters, I know that the people of Southern Indiana are tired of status-quo politicians and are ready for the fair representation that they deserve.”

“I am truly grateful for the outpouring of support that I have received on the campaign trail thus far,” Messmer said. “This campaign has been about real ideas as we try to bring an end to the political games of Indianapolis. I look forward to meeting more people as we spread the message of true leadership for Southern Indiana.”

Messmer has been endorsed by all Republican County Chairmen in the district. House District 63 includes parts of Daviess, Dubois, Pike, and Martin counties.

Mark Messmer on the Campaign Trail

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:04:46 -0500

State Representative candidate Mark Messmer shares a great story on his blog. Check it out here.

I thought I would share a funny story that came up on one of my door-to-door visits in Pike County. I was in the area of Yellow Rose Horse Park where my daughter was competing in some barrel racing. In between her races, I was driving around the area and stopped at a house not too far away. When talking to the couple, I told them about my daughter’s interest in horses and they started to tell me about a pony and a mule that they had on their small farm. The pony is about 36 years old and they are very fond the animal. They have had him for over 30 years. The mule on the other hand, they got about 3 years ago. The husband said he has had a real tuff time taming down the mule. She bites and kicks the old pony on a regular basis, and has bitten him in the back several times. He said to me, “do you know what that mule’s name is?” I said “no, what is it.” He said “Hillary” and smiled. We got along pretty well that afternoon!

Messmer to Put Chill on DEM Plans to Retain House

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:21:07 -0500

As the Campaign season goes forward, Mark Messmer will turn on the heat to win this Democrat-held but Republican leaning seat.

Jasper resident Mark Messmer announced his candidacy this summer for State Representative in House District 63. He is running for the seat held by Dave Crooks, who will be retiring after this term.

Speaking outside his business, Messmer Mechanical, Mark said now is the time for change. "This campaign is not about me or my future. This is a campaign about real ideas," Messmer said. "These ideas of personal responsibility and valuing our tax dollars are the common sense notions the long time politicians in Indianapolis have forgotten, and I know we can do better." See the campaign press release.

Messmer Candidacy Announcement Release.pdf