By Savannah Shotwell TheStatehouseFile.com April 29, 2026
Indiana’s 8th District covers a large portion of Southwest Indiana. With the primary election approaching on Tuesday, voters in this heavily Republican district will have a choice to make: Stick with what they know, or decide to make a change.
“(Messmer has) thwarted off any Republican competitors. The 8th District is very Republican,” said Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis. “Whoever holds that nomination has an upper hand in terms of winning. Typically that candidate has won by 20-plus percentage points.”
The 8th District is wide, a mixed district with abundant rural areas and the cities of Evansville and Terre Haute. It encompasses 20 full counties and a portion of Fountain County.
Wilson said Messmer, who has held his office since January 2025, could be considered a moderate Republican. By remaining in the middle, he doesn’t offend anyone on either end of the spectrum.
“One of the things he’s focused his campaign on is talking about jobs, … really focusing on economic growth and the Working Family Tax Cuts bill,” she said.
Wilson said that bill was passed by Congress last year on Independence Day. Messmer prioritized the bill as a big deal for working families. But he faces a full field of opposing candidates from the Democratic side of the aisle.
“Seeing so many candidates speaks to a larger statewide phenomenon, an increased enthusiasm around the Democratic Party and base,” said Wilson.
Wilson said the Democrats have garnered a lot of enthusiasm and engagement in the 8th District. The president’s approval ratings have been low while Republicans are enjoying a majority at the state and federal level.
“It’s pretty easy to attack Republicans for what is going on because they are in charge in terms of government, and the economy has still been a challenge. The war in Iran has led to an increase in gas prices,” said Wilson. “The voters see that connection. Inflation still seems incredibly high.”
While the general election in the 8th District typically goes to a Republican candidate, it’s possible the Democrats may have a chance this year. It all boils down to what voters are wanting.
“Voters for the Republican party have to say what we’re doing in Iran and what we see in terms of gas prices is necessary,” said Wilson.
Mary Allen (in denim jacket) is one of four Democrats hoping to take on U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer, R-Indiana, in this fall’s general election. (Photo/Courtesy of the Allen campaign.)
Cheryl Shultz, vice chair of Indiana’s Democratic 8th Congressional District and chair of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party, has thrown her support behind one Democratic candidate whom she predicts will succeed.
“We feel like Mary Allen may have the best chance of winning the primary. She started last year and has been knocking on quite a few doors, raising money, engaging with all 21 counties,” said Shultz.
Allen can often be found meeting people at the library or going to county party events to talk one on one with voters.
“Mary is a unique person with a lot of gifts. I’ve never heard anyone say a negative thing about her. She serves on our city council,” said Shultz. “Mary is known for her kindness, compassion and empathy.”
Shultz said that if Allen were to win the 8th District, there would be a huge change in Congress.
“We can see a lot of things change. We can bring health-care changes. People who have lost the ability to have Medicaid, and their medical bills are going up, and the cost of their insurance is going up,” said Shultz.
“There’s a lot of people struggling with the general landscape,” she said. “The national narrative, the economy, the war, immigration.”
Allen said people are frustrated with their current representation.
“The war in Iran has increased our fuel prices, which then increases diesel prices,” said Allen. “Our farmers are really struggling. All farm equipment runs on diesel, so those prices are higher.”
Allen said that in special elections around the country, red seats have flipped blue in areas where it was never expected. She said people are looking for something different.
“I’ve had folks reach out to me and say, ‘I’ve voted a straight-ticket Republican since ‘84, and I’m not doing it this year,’” said Allen.
The Statehouse File emailed Rector and Foradori with no response. Burke was contacted via X, his only form of contact information listed, also without a response. Zeigler’s website contact form had an error that made filling it out impossible. Messmer also could not be reached by press time.
“I do think there’s a path to victory,” said Allen. “I’m not naive to the chances and what statistically the data shows. I want to come around shared common values. I want our farmers to keep their generational family farms. I bet we all want our kids to have a really great education. We all want to be able to work one full-time job and pay the bills.”
Savannah Shotwell is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
