Indiana's 8th Congressional District

Indiana's 8th Congressional District

Incumbent

Mark Messmer

Assumed office: January 3, 2025

Indiana's 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Mark Messmer (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Indiana representatives represented an average of 754,476 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 722,398 residents.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Mark Messmer (R), Mary Allen (D), Christopher Rector (D), Daniel George (R), and James Burke (Independent) are running in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Mark Messmer (R)
	Submit photo	Mary Allen (D)
		Christopher Rector (D)
	Submit photo	Daniel George (R)
	Submit photo	James Burke (Independent)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Mark Messmer (R) defeated Erik Hurt (D) and K. Richard Fitzlaff (L) in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Messmer (R)	68.0	219,941
		Erik Hurt (D)	29.5	95,311
		K. Richard Fitzlaff (L)	2.6	8,381

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 323,633
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Erik Hurt (D) defeated Edward Upton Sein (D), Michael Talarzyk (D), and Peter Priest II (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on May 7, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Erik Hurt	45.1	8,204
		Edward Upton Sein	22.5	4,087
		Michael Talarzyk	20.9	3,796
	Submit photo	Peter Priest II	11.5	2,098

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,185
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kellie Moore (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on May 7, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Messmer	38.5	30,668
		John N. Hostettler	19.7	15,649
		Richard Moss	14.1	11,227
		Dominick Jack Kavanaugh	11.8	9,397
		Kristi Risk	9.2	7,350
		Luke Misner	2.9	2,287
		Jim Case	2.6	2,107
		Jeremy Heath	1.2	944

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 79,629
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Larry Bucshon (R)
• Jon Schrock (R)

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) defeated Ray McCormick (D) and Andy Horning (L) in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Bucshon (R)	65.7	141,995
		Ray McCormick (D)	31.5	68,109
		Andy Horning (L)	2.7	5,936

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 216,040
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Ray McCormick (D) defeated Adnan Dhahir (D) and Peter Priest II (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ray McCormick	69.7	16,465
		Adnan Dhahir	18.7	4,429
	Submit photo	Peter Priest II	11.6	2,731

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,625
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Bucshon	100.0	47,557

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,557
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gabriel Whitley (R)

Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Andy Horning (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on March 5, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Andy Horning

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) defeated Thomasina Marsili (D) and James Rodenberger (L) in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Bucshon (R)	66.9	214,643
		Thomasina Marsili (D)	29.8	95,691
	Submit photo	James Rodenberger (L)	3.2	10,283

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 320,617
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Thomasina Marsili (D) defeated Mike Webster (D) and Ron Drake (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Thomasina Marsili	36.3	15,097
		Mike Webster	32.6	13,550
		Ron Drake	31.2	12,973

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,620
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Bucshon	100.0	51,343

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 51,343
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Indiana District 8

James Rodenberger (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on March 7, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	James Rodenberger

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) defeated William Tanoos (D) in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Bucshon (R)	64.4	157,396
		William Tanoos (D)	35.6	86,895

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 244,291 (100% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

William Tanoos (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		William Tanoos	100.0	26,232

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 26,232
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Glen Miller (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8

Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) defeated Richard Moss (R) and Rachel Covington (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 8 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Bucshon	63.0	34,516
		Richard Moss	25.2	13,831
		Rachel Covington	11.8	6,451

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 54,798
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Previous election results

2016

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) won re-election in 2016. Bucshon defeated Ron Drake (D) and Andrew Horning (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Bucshon defeated Richard Moss in the Republican primary. On the other side of the aisle, Ron Drake defeated David Orentlicher to win the Democratic nomination. The Democratic primary race remained uncalled for months following the election. The primary elections took place on May 3, 2016.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Larry Bucshon Incumbent	63.7%	187,702
	Democratic	Ron Drake	31.7%	93,356
	Libertarian	Andrew Horning	4.6%	13,655
Total Votes				294,713
Source: Indiana Division of Elections

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Larry Buchson Incumbent	65%	72,889
Richard Moss	35%	39,168
Total Votes		112,057
Source: Indiana Secretary of State

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Ron Drake	50.1%	29,270
David Orentlicher	49.9%	29,206
Total Votes		58,476
Source: Indiana Secretary of State

2014

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 8th Congressional District of Indiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Larry Bucshon (R) defeated challengers Tom Spangler (D) and Andy Horning (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Larry Bucshon Incumbent	60.3%	103,344
	Democratic	Tom Spangler	35.8%	61,384
	Libertarian	Andrew Horning	3.8%	6,587
Total Votes				171,315
Source: Indiana Secretary of State Official Results

General election candidates

• Larry Bucshon - Incumbent
• Tom Spangler
• Andy Horning

May 6, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

• Larry Bucshon - Incumbenta
• Andrew McNeil

Democratic Primary

• Tom Spanglera

Third Party Candidates

• Andy Horning

Removed from ballot

• William Bryk

2012

See also: Indiana's 8th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 8th Congressional District of Indiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012, in which Republican incumbent Larry Bucshon won re-election. He defeated Dave Crooks (D) and Bart Gadau (L) in the general election

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Dave Crooks	43.1%	122,325
	Republican	Larry Bucshon Incumbent	53.4%	151,533
	Libertarian	Bart Gadau	3.6%	10,134
Total Votes				283,992
Source: Indiana Secretary of State "House of Representatives Election Results"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Larry Bucshon won election to the United States House. He defeated W. Trent VanHaaften (D) and John Cunningham (Libertarian) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Larry D. Bucshon	57.5%	117,259
	Democratic	W. Trent VanHaaften	37.4%	76,265
	Libertarian	John Cunningham	5%	10,240
Total Votes				203,764

2008
On November 4, 2008, Brad Ellsworth won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Greg Goode (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Brad Ellsworth incumbent	64.5%	188,693
	Republican	Greg Goode	35.5%	103,769
Total Votes				292,462

2006
On November 7, 2006, Brad Ellsworth won election to the United States House. He defeated John N. Hostettler (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Brad Ellsworth	61%	131,019
	Republican	John N. Hostettler incumbent	39%	83,704
Total Votes				214,723

2004
On November 2, 2004, John N. Hostettler won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John P. Jennings (D) and Mark Garvin (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John N. Hostettler incumbent	53.4%	145,576
	Democratic	John P. Jennings	44.5%	121,522
	Libertarian	Mark Garvin	2.1%	5,680
Total Votes				272,778

2002
On November 5, 2002, John N. Hostettler won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bryan L. Hartke (D) and Pam Williams (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John N. Hostettler incumbent	51.3%	98,952
	Democratic	Bryan L. Hartke	46%	88,763
	Libertarian	Pam Williams	2.7%	5,150
Total Votes				192,865

2000
On November 7, 2000, John N. Hostettler won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Paul E. Perry (D) and Thomas Trindle (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 8 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John N. Hostettler incumbent	52.7%	116,879
	Democratic	Paul E. Perry	45.3%	100,488
	Libertarian	Thomas Trindle	2%	4,342
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	283
Total Votes				221,992

District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Indiana after the 2020 census

The Indiana General Assembly approved new congressional district maps on October 1, 2021, which were signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) on October 4, 2021. The Indiana House Republican caucus released draft congressional boundaries on September 14, 2021. The Indiana state Senate approved the new district plans by a vote of 36-12, with all votes to approve by Republicans. Eleven Senate Democrats joined State Sen. Ron Grooms (R) in voting against the maps. The Indiana House of Representatives approved the new district boundaries by a vote of 64-25. All votes in favor were by Republicans and 22 Democrats and three Republicans voted against. This map took effect for Indiana's 2022 congressional elections. Indiana was the fourth state to enact congressional redistricting after the 2020 census.

In a statement issued after signing the maps, Gov. Holcomb said, "Today I signed HB 1581, completing this once-in-a-decade constitutionally required process. I want to thank both the House and Senate for faithfully following through in an orderly and transparent way. And, a special thanks to every Hoosier who participated in the process by sharing their local perspective and input." Kaitlin Lange of the Indianapolis Star wrote that the "congressional map also likely will enable Republicans to keep seven of the nine congressional seats in Indiana and make the 5th District, which contains suburban Hamilton County, a more reliably Republican district.”

How does redistricting in Indiana work? In Indiana, the state legislature is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. The legislature must approve a redistricting plan by the close of the first legislative session occurring after completion of the United States Census. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.

In the event that both chambers of the state legislature do not approve a congressional redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines. The commission comprises the following members:

1. Speaker of the House
2. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
3. Chair of the Elections Committee, Indiana State Senate
4. Chair of the Elections and Apportionment Committee, Indiana House of Representatives
5. A gubernatorial appointment

The Indiana Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements for congressional district lines.

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 8th Congressional District of Indiana after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Indiana after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Indiana State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

In redistricting, The Hill published a list of the Top Ten House Members who were helped by redistricting. Todd C. Young, representative from Indiana's 9th Congressional District ranked 10th on the list. The article notes that in the redistricting process, controlled by Republicans, Young benefited from taking pockets of Republicans from Larry Bucshon’s district next door in the 8th District and adding them into Young's 9th District, resulting in a vulnerable District 8.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+18. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 18 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Indiana's 8th the 48th most Republican district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+19. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 19 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Indiana's 8th the 48th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 65.5%-32.7%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+19. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 19 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Indiana's 8th the 48th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 32.7% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 65.5%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+15. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 15 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Indiana's 8th Congressional District the 80th most Republican nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.01. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.01 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Indiana
• Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2024
• Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2022
• Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2020
• Indiana's 8th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 8

Footnotes

[show]

Indiana's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jim Banks (R)

Todd Young (R)

Representatives

District 1

Frank Mrvan (D)

District 2

Rudy Yakym (R)

District 3

Marlin Stutzman (R)

District 4

Jim Baird (R)

District 5

Victoria Spartz (R)

District 6

Jefferson Shreve (R)

District 7

André Carson (D)

District 8

Mark Messmer (R)

District 9

Erin Houchin (R)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (2)