U.S. House · Indiana's 8th District

Southwestern Indiana, including Evansville, Vincennes, and Jasper.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED

Mark Messmer, projected winner

Candidate	Votes	Share
Mark Messmer	117,667	55.2%
Mary Allen	95,317	44.8%

About 99% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗

Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research

Incumbent Mark Messmer ran unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary. Mary Allen won the Democratic primary with 66.7% of the vote over three challengers.[1]

On the November 3 ballot · 2 candidates

Mark MessmerRINCUMBENTPROJECTED WINNERU.S. Representative (since 2025)Full profile →Mary AllenDFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Protect legal access to abortion

Mark Messmer
Opposes[2]
Credits his Statehouse work with Indiana's pro-life legislation and says he will continue to defend the unborn and work to expand adoption and other abortion alternatives.
Mary Allen
—

Stricter gun laws

Mark Messmer
Opposes[16]
Cosponsored H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (119th Congress), which would require states to honor other states' concealed-carry permits.
Mary Allen
—

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[17][18][19][20]
Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.
Mary Allen
In their own words[4]
“We cannot continue to treat hardworking families as criminals, rounding people up and denying them due process.”
On her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, quoting her campaign website; she also says "I believe in strong borders."

Loosen zoning rules to build more housing

Mark Messmer
—
Mary Allen
In their own words[6]
“Making homeownership more affordable through investments that build homes for working families, not luxury condos.”
On her campaign site, under "Affordability"

Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[18][19][20]
Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.
Mary Allen
Supports[6]
Lists ensuring the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay their fair share in taxes among her tax priorities.

Expand public health coverage

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[18][19][20][22]
Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
Mary Allen
Supports[6][4]
Says on her campaign site that healthcare is a human right and that universal healthcare lowers costs, and lists protecting and expanding Medicaid and Medicare among her healthcare priorities.

Faster transition away from fossil fuels

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[18][19][20]
Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.
Mary Allen
In their own words[6]
“Lower energy costs, diversify our energy supply, and create thousands of local, clean-energy jobs by investing in wind, solar, and modern grid infrastructure.”
On her campaign site, under "Environment and Energy"

Raise the minimum wage

Mark Messmer
—
Mary Allen
In their own words[6]
“Ensuring your paycheck covers your basic needs through a national minimum wage tied to inflation.”
On her campaign site, under "Good Jobs"

Continue U.S. military aid to Israel

Mark Messmer
—
Mary Allen
Opposes[6]
Lists ending military support to Israel among her foreign policy priorities.

Broad tariffs on imported goods

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[25]
Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.
Mary Allen
In their own words[6]
“Making your groceries more affordable by removing tariffs on food and other essentials and stopping corporate price hikes.”
On her campaign site, under "Affordability"

Universal, publicly funded child care

Mark Messmer
—
Mary Allen
In their own words[6]
“Ensuring no family pays more than 7% of their income for childcare.”
On her campaign site, under "Childcare & Working Families"

Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[21]
Voted yes on SAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).
Mary Allen
—

Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroad

Mark Messmer
Recorded votes[23][24]
Voted no on War Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization. Voted no on War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.
Mary Allen
In their own words[6]
“Supporting the War Powers Resolution to end the unpopular, illegal war in Iran.”
On her campaign site, under "Foreign Policy"

Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports

Mark Messmer
Supports[15]
Cosponsored H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (119th Congress), which would bar transgender girls and women from girls' and women's school sports programs that receive federal funds.
Mary Allen
—

ISSUE	Mark Messmer R	Mary Allen D
Protect legal access to abortion	Opposes[2] Credits his Statehouse work with Indiana's pro-life legislation and says he will continue to defend the unborn and work to expand adoption and other abortion alternatives.	—
Stricter gun laws	Opposes[16] Cosponsored H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (119th Congress), which would require states to honor other states' concealed-carry permits.	—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportations	Recorded votes[17][18][19][20] Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.	In their own words[4] “We cannot continue to treat hardworking families as criminals, rounding people up and denying them due process.” On her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, quoting her campaign website; she also says "I believe in strong borders."
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing	—	In their own words[6] “Making homeownership more affordable through investments that build homes for working families, not luxury condos.” On her campaign site, under "Affordability"
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations	Recorded votes[18][19][20] Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.	Supports[6] Lists ensuring the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay their fair share in taxes among her tax priorities.
Expand public health coverage	Recorded votes[18][19][20][22] Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.	Supports[6][4] Says on her campaign site that healthcare is a human right and that universal healthcare lowers costs, and lists protecting and expanding Medicaid and Medicare among her healthcare priorities.
Faster transition away from fossil fuels	Recorded votes[18][19][20] Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.	In their own words[6] “Lower energy costs, diversify our energy supply, and create thousands of local, clean-energy jobs by investing in wind, solar, and modern grid infrastructure.” On her campaign site, under "Environment and Energy"
Raise the minimum wage	—	In their own words[6] “Ensuring your paycheck covers your basic needs through a national minimum wage tied to inflation.” On her campaign site, under "Good Jobs"
Continue U.S. military aid to Israel	—	Opposes[6] Lists ending military support to Israel among her foreign policy priorities.
Broad tariffs on imported goods	Recorded votes[25] Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.	In their own words[6] “Making your groceries more affordable by removing tariffs on food and other essentials and stopping corporate price hikes.” On her campaign site, under "Affordability"
Universal, publicly funded child care	—	In their own words[6] “Ensuring no family pays more than 7% of their income for childcare.” On her campaign site, under "Childcare & Working Families"
Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote	Recorded votes[21] Voted yes on SAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).	—
Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroad	Recorded votes[23][24] Voted no on War Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization. Voted no on War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.	In their own words[6] “Supporting the War Powers Resolution to end the unpopular, illegal war in Iran.” On her campaign site, under "Foreign Policy"
Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports	Supports[15] Cosponsored H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (119th Congress), which would bar transgender girls and women from girls' and women's school sports programs that receive federal funds.	—

Research notes & limits

Messmer's cited issue statements and Indiana Senate voting record are drawn from his own 2024 campaign website as republished by Ballotpedia; he has not completed a 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Messmer's federal key votes and FEC totals are added separately by script. Ballotpedia states James Burke will not appear on the general election ballot, and little other biographical information about him was found. James Burke (independent) is listed by Ballotpedia as withdrawn or disqualified and was removed 2026-11-02.

Sources · 30

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

1.United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
2.Mark Messmer campaign website (via Ballotpedia) · Ballotpedia (quoting Messmer's campaign site) Candidate's own words
3.Latest News · Office of Rep. Mark Messmer Candidate's own words
4.Mary Allen - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey and campaign website · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey / maryallenforindiana.com Candidate's own words
5.James Burke - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
6.Priorities · Mary Allen for Congress campaign website Candidate's own words
7.Mark Messmer · Ballotpedia Reference
8.Mark Messmer campaign website (via Ballotpedia) · Ballotpedia (quoting Messmer's campaign site) Candidate's own words
9.Biography · Office of Rep. Mark Messmer Official record
10.Mark Messmer · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
11.Four Democrats compete for the chance to challenge Rep. Mark Messmer in Indiana's 8th Congressional District · Lakeshore Public Media News report
12.Indiana U.S. House District 8 election results 2026 · NBC News · 2026-11-09 News report
13.H.R. 22, the SAVE Act (SAVE Act) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
14.H.R. 7296, the SAVE America Act (SAVE America Act) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
15.H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
16.H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
17.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
18.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
19.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
20.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
21.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
22.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
23.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
24.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
25.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
26.Mary Allen (Indiana) · Ballotpedia Reference
27.Trio of Dems vie for Indiana US House seat in primary; one candidate exits race · WNIN News report
28.Four Democrats compete for the chance to challenge Rep. Mark Messmer in Indiana's 8th Congressional District · Lakeshore Public Media News report
29.Congressional District 8 (voter guide) · Indiana Capital Chronicle News report
30.U.S. House · Indiana's 8th District results 2026 · NBC News News report