--- title: "Allen vs. Messmer: 2026 Indiana’s 8th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-in-08" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Indiana’s 8th District race: Mary Allen (D) vs. Mark Messmer (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 The 2026 general election for Indiana's 8th Congressional District features Republican incumbent Mark Messmer running for re-election against Democratic challenger Mary Allen and Independent candidate James Burke. Messmer, a former state legislator elected to the U.S. House in 2024, is running on a conservative platform emphasizing limited government, border security, and deregulation, backed by a voting record supporting key Republican legislation. Allen, an Evansville City Councilor, small business owner, and Army Reserve veteran, centers her campaign on economic affordability, universal healthcare, childcare infrastructure, and breaking up corporate monopolies. ## Candidates - **Mary Allen** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.maryallenforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) - **Mark Messmer** (Republican, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://www.markmessmer.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Messmer) ## Issues ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high Mary Allen favors wage increases, affordable housing investments, and breaking up monopolies to address living costs, while Mark Messmer advocates for tax adjustments, deregulation, and smaller government to stimulate business growth. **Mary Allen:** Supports wage growth and breaking monopolies Mary Allen views affordability as an economic crisis driven by wages failing to keep pace with living costs and corporate consolidation. She advocates for real wage increases, expanding housing investments for working families, and breaking up corporate monopolies to lower everyday expenses. - Fight for real wage increases that keep pace with inflation - Support housing investments for working families over luxury developments - Use antitrust enforcement to break up corporate monopolies suppressing competition and driving up prices > “Three out of four Hoosiers working in Indiana's most common jobs — nursing assistants, childcare workers, retail workers — can't afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** Supports tax legislation and smaller government Mark Messmer emphasizes economic prosperity through reduced government intervention, lower taxes, and small business growth. In Congress, he voted in favor of major tax reconciliation and budget legislation. - Voted Yea on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) to address tax policy, federal spending programs, and the debt limit - Voted Yea on H.Con.Res. 14 establishing the fiscal year 2025 federal budget framework - Promotes small business job creation through limited government regulations > “As a local small business owner, Mark knows firsthand less government creates more jobs.” > — Mark Messmer, via [Campaign site](https://www.markmessmer.com) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: high Mark Messmer advocates for strict border enforcement, deporting undocumented immigrants, and ending birthright citizenship, while Mary Allen supports humane immigration reform that balances border security with legal pathways to citizenship. **Mary Allen:** Supports humane reform and border security Mary Allen advocates for a balanced immigration policy that pairs border security with compassionate, legal pathways to citizenship. She emphasizes the substantial economic and tax contributions of immigrants in Indiana and criticizes mass detention facilities. - Combine secure borders with humane and expanded legal pathways to residency and citizenship - Implement common-sense oversight over the Department of Homeland Security - Protect due process and recognize immigrants' economic contributions to local communities > “We can secure our borders while also treating human beings with dignity.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** Supports strict border enforcement and deportation Mark Messmer advocates for securing the southern border, deporting undocumented immigrants, and ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. His legislative record includes federal votes expanding immigration detention and state votes banning sanctuary cities. - Deport illegal immigrants and terminate birthright citizenship for undocumented residents - Voted Yea on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections - Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring detention of undocumented individuals arrested for theft offenses - Co-authored state legislation (SEA 181) banning sanctuary cities in Indiana > “We need to secure the southern border and deport the illegal immigrants that Joe Biden has allowed to flood into our country.” > — Mark Messmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Messmer) ### Agriculture and Rural Economy Salience: medium Mary Allen calls for aggressive antitrust action against Big Ag and a National Right to Repair law, while Mark Messmer addresses agricultural issues through his committee assignments in the U.S. House. **Mary Allen:** Supports Right to Repair and anti-monopoly laws Mary Allen focuses on protecting family farms from market manipulation by corporate monopolies in seeds and livestock. She advocates for a National Right to Repair law for agricultural machinery and restructuring the federal Farm Bill to favor family farms over corporate conglomerates. - Pass a National Right to Repair law enabling farmers to fix their own machinery - Break up Big Ag monopolies in seed supply and livestock markets - Reform the Farm Bill to prioritize family operations over industrial conglomerates > “Farmers feed the world, but corporate monopolies are eating their lunch!” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** Serves on House Agriculture Committee Mark Messmer addresses agricultural policy through his assignment to the House Committee on Agriculture. He serves on subcommittees covering livestock, commodity markets, biotechnology, and rural development. - Member of the House Committee on Agriculture - Assigned to the Livestock Dairy and Poultry subcommittee - Assigned to the Commodity Markets Digital Assets and Rural Development subcommittee ### Education and Childcare Salience: medium Mary Allen focuses on expanding federal funding for public schools and universal childcare infrastructure, while Mark Messmer serves on the House Education committee and voted to restrict transgender women in female sports. **Mary Allen:** Supports childcare funding and public education Mary Allen considers childcare essential economic infrastructure and advocates for fully funding vouchers, expanding public pre-K, and raising wages for childcare workers and teachers. She opposes proposals to dismantle the federal Department of Education. - Fully fund childcare vouchers to eliminate state waitlists and expand On My Way Pre-K - Protect federal funding for Title I, IDEA, and Head Start - Oppose dismantling the Department of Education and support living wages for teachers > “Every child, no matter their zip code, deserves quality education.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) > “Indiana loses $4.2 billion every year because Congress treats childcare like a luxury instead of the essential infrastructure it is.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** Supports restrictions in women's sports Mark Messmer serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. In Congress, he voted in favor of legislation restricting biological males from participating in female school athletic programs. - Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce - Voted Yea on Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28) ### Government Reform and Election Integrity Salience: medium Mary Allen seeks to overturn Citizens United and ban congressional stock trading, while Mark Messmer supports term limits, restricting court injunctions, and requiring citizenship proof to register to vote. **Mary Allen:** Supports campaign reform and stock trading bans Mary Allen champions political reform by advocating to overturn Citizens United, ban congressional stock trading, and end gerrymandering. She also supports federal age and term limits for members of Congress. - Overturn Citizens United to eliminate corporate spending in elections - Enact a strict ban on stock trading by members of Congress - Support federal term limits, age limits, and fair redistricting maps > “The Citizens United decision opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate spending in politics.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** Supports voter citizenship proof and term limits Mark Messmer signed a congressional term limits pledge and voted for federal legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. He also voted to restrict nationwide injunctions issued by federal district courts. - Signed the U.S. Term Limits candidate pledge - Voted Yea on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship for federal election registration - Voted Yea on NORRA of 2025 (H.R. 1526) limiting the scope of federal district court injunctions ### Veterans and Military Affairs Salience: low Mary Allen advocates for expanding rural VA healthcare and restricting military deployment to foreign defense, while Mark Messmer works on defense policy through his assignment to the House Armed Services Committee. **Mary Allen:** Supports expanding rural VA care and peaceful defense As an Army Reserve veteran, Mary Allen prioritizes expanding VA funding for healthcare, mental health, and job training, particularly for rural veterans. She also maintains that the military's mission should be limited to national defense rather than domestic policing. - Prioritize VA healthcare and mental health funding, focusing on rural access - Expand job training, education, and housing transition programs for veterans - Preserve the military's core defense mission and oppose domestic policing deployments > “Supporting our military requires more than words of appreciation… it requires sound policy decisions that uphold the integrity of their mission.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** Serves on House Armed Services subcommittees Mark Messmer serves on the House Committee on Armed Services, including subcommittees on Readiness and Strategic Forces, and previously served on the Veterans Affairs and Military Committee in the Indiana Senate. - Assigned to the House Committee on Armed Services (Readiness and Strategic Forces subcommittees) - Former member of the Indiana Senate Veterans Affairs and Military Committee ### Healthcare Salience: high Mary Allen advocates for universal healthcare, protected Medicaid funding, and emergency aid for rural hospitals, whereas Mark Messmer has no documented position on healthcare in the provided sources. **Mary Allen:** Supports universal healthcare and protecting Medicaid Mary Allen considers healthcare to be a human right and advocates for universal healthcare to lower costs by prioritizing preventative care. She pledges to protect Medicaid from budget cuts, support struggling rural hospitals, and eliminate surprise medical bills. - Protect Medicaid funding from federal budget cuts - Provide federal financial support to keep rural hospitals and maternity wards open - Support universal healthcare to focus on prevention and curb pharmaceutical drug costs > “Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) > “Universal healthcare is not a radical idea. It’s just smart.” > — Mary Allen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Allen_%28Indiana%29) **Mark Messmer:** No documented position in our sources ### Abortion and Reproductive Rights Salience: medium Mark Messmer strictly opposes abortion and touts his legislative record passing state restrictions, whereas Mary Allen has no documented position on abortion in the provided sources. **Mary Allen:** No documented position in our sources **Mark Messmer:** Opposes abortion and supports restrictions Mark Messmer strongly opposes abortion and highlights his legislative role in enacting Indiana's restrictive abortion laws following the Dobbs decision. He is endorsed by leading anti-abortion organizations and supports expanding adoption alternatives. - Endorsed by Right to Life and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America - Supported state legislation in Indiana establishing restrictive anti-abortion laws - Advocates expanding adoption and support services as alternatives to abortion > “I believe every one of us was wonderfully made by God and that every life is a blessing.” > — Mark Messmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Messmer) ### Energy and Environment Salience: medium Mary Allen advocates for renewable energy investment and strict EPA enforcement on drinking water and emissions, whereas Mark Messmer has no documented position on energy or environmental policy in the provided sources. **Mary Allen:** Supports renewable energy and EPA enforcement Mary Allen advocates for strict enforcement of EPA standards to ensure clean air and drinking water while holding industrial polluters accountable. She supports federal investments in wind, solar, and modern grid infrastructure, as well as protecting public lands from corporate exploitation. - Strictly enforce EPA safety standards for clean air and drinking water against PFAS and lead - Invest in renewable energy sources like wind and solar to modernise the power grid - Protect national parks and public lands from corporate exploitation and expanded leasing > “We are told we have to choose between a thriving economy and a healthy environment, but that is a false narrative driven by corporate lobbyists and campaign donors.” > — Mary Allen, via [Campaign site](https://www.maryallenforcongress.com/) **Mark Messmer:** No documented position in our sources ### Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets Salience: low Mark Messmer supports updating federal regulations to promote cryptocurrency and voted for stablecoin legislation, whereas Mary Allen has no documented position on digital assets. **Mary Allen:** No documented position in our sources **Mark Messmer:** Supports crypto innovation and opposes CBDCs Mark Messmer advocates updating regulatory frameworks to foster blockchain technology and protect financial privacy while opposing central bank digital currencies. In Congress, he voted for the GENIUS Act to establish rules for stablecoins. - Voted Yea on the GENIUS Act (S. 1582) creating a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins - Opposes central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to safeguard financial privacy - Advocates updating outdated laws to encourage blockchain innovation and maintain U.S. leadership > “By updating regulations, we can secure a future where digital finance is inclusive, innovative, and maintains U.S. leadership on the global stage.” > — Mark Messmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Messmer) ### Foreign Policy and Israel Salience: low Mark Messmer strongly supports Israel's sovereignty and opposes the BDS movement, while Mary Allen has no documented position on Israel in the provided sources. **Mary Allen:** No documented position in our sources **Mark Messmer:** Supports Israel and opposes BDS Mark Messmer strongly supports Israel's sovereignty and right to defend itself against regional threats. He explicitly opposes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. - Supports Israel's sovereignty and military defense capabilities - Opposes Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel > “I steadfastly support Israel's sovereignty and its unwavering fight for survival amidst threats.” > — Mark Messmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Messmer) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/in-08-house-election-winner) — IN-08 House Election Winner: Republicans 95.8%, Democrats 3.5% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-IN08-26) — IN-08 House winner?: Mark Messmer 96.0%, Mary Allen 3.9% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-in-08)