Local Leaders Endorse Messer

February 22, 2012

Republican former State Representative Luke Messer announced on Thursday that key Decatur County leaders have endorsed his candidacy for Indiana’s 6th Congressional District Republican Primary.

“I knew Luke Messer when he was growing up and served with him as a colleague in the Indiana General Assembly,” said former State Representative Cleo Duncan. “Luke is an outstanding person and he will represent us well in Congress.”

Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert noted, “Luke Messer is a proven conservative leader with a record of delivering results. I look forward to working with him to get things done for Greensburg.”

“I’ve known Luke since he was four years old,” said Decatur County Councilman and Republican Chairman Larry Meyer. “His life and work experience have prepared him to be a strong, conservative leader for us. I am proud to support Luke Messer for Congress.”

“I grew up in Greensburg and know first-hand the positive impact these great leaders have had on this community,” said Messer. “I am honored to have their support.”

Decatur County leaders who endorse Luke Messer include:

• Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert
• County Prosecutor James Rosenberry
• County Commissioner Jerome Buening
• County Commissioner John Richards
• County Councilor Rheadawn Metz
• County Councilor and Republican County Chairman Larry Meyer
• Former State Senator Bob Jackman
• Former State Representative Cleo Duncan
• Former City Council President Helen Gardner
• Former City Councilor Herb Hunter

“As encouraged as we are by this early support, we are just getting started,” Messer concluded. “We pledge to keep working to build our grassroots team in the weeks and months ahead.”

About Luke Messer
Luke Messer, 42, is the President and CEO of the Hoosiers for Economic Growth Network and served in the Indiana General Assembly from 2003-2006. During his tenure in the legislature, Messer earned a 100% rating from Indiana Right to Life, an “A” rating from the NRA, and was best known for authoring nationally recognized high school drop-out reform legislation. Messer is also a former Executive Director of the Indiana Republican Party, serving from 2001-2005.

Luke grew up in Greensburg, and he and his wife Jennifer are raising their two daughters and a son in Shelbyville. Luke also served as an elder at his church and is the author a children’s book about Indiana entitled Hoosier Heart. To learn more about Luke Messer’s campaign, log on to www.lukemesser.com.

On way to ‘Young Gun’ status

Washington — The National Republican Congressional Committee today announced Luke Messer as a ‘Contender’ candidate, the important third step in the ‘Young Guns’ program. Founded during the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the ‘Young Guns’ program is a Member-driven effort that is the primary method for recruiting strong candidates for both open-seat and incumbent challenge elections. Messer is running for Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District.

“We are looking forward to working with Luke Messer, who has already proven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position his campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Luke Messer’s dedication and experience as a leader in Indiana positions him strongly to advocate for pro-growth policies and fight the failed Democrat status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to Democrats’ record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Hoosier families know has failed.”

Specifically, the ‘Young Guns’ program encourages candidates who have proven their ability to meet crucial campaign benchmarks to develop their campaigns further in order to achieve victory on Election Day. In achieving ‘Contender’ status, Messer has met the third set of these organizational and fundraising benchmarks and has already begun to establish himself as a strong contender.

Luke Messer has dedicated his life to community service, promoting conservative principles and making Indiana a better place to raise families. Luke Messer is currently the President of Hoosiers for Economic Growth (HEG), a privately funded not-for-profit advocacy group focused on electing state policy leaders who support a positive, pro-growth, education reform agenda for Indiana’s future. HEG champions conservative candidates and conservative causes. 

With the third set of rigorous benchmarks met in order to achieve ‘Contender’ status, Luke Messer will now work toward even higher goals that will help him advance in the ‘Young Guns’ program and build an effective, winning campaign.

Shelbyville resident Luke Messer has earned a nod from a national Republican group in the 6th District Congressional race.

Messer, seeking a U.S. House of Representatives seat in the May primary among a huge field of candidates from across Indiana, has been named a “contender” by the National Republican Congressional Committee’s mentoring program.

The distinction means the Republican hopeful has moved his way up in the NRCC’s Young Guns program. Developed in 2008, the program highlights conservative Republican congressional campaigns that have met certain standards, such as the quality of communication and the amount of cash on hand.

“It’s a big deal,” said Megan Robertson, Messer’s campaign manager. “For the campaign, it just highlights the way we’ve run the campaign so far.”

The program has three rungs per election cycle: “On the Radar,” which Messer graduated past; “Contender,” which Messer is now; and “Young Gun,” the highest amount of recognition from the party program.

“We’re very excited about it,” Robertson said.

The program isn’t an endorsement, said Andrea Bozek, a spokeswoman for the NRCC. Instead, it’s meant to help keep campaign standards for candidates high.

“You have to submit paperwork, you have be in contact with our office here,” Bozek said.

She said a candidate will submit plans that shows he or she has “a road map to victory.”

A “Young Gun,” she said, means the candidate is one of the strongest candidates in the country.

Those designations will roll out farther along in the election cycle, as the races start to take more shape.
“It takes a little while for that to shake out,” Bozek said.

None of the other Republicans in the 6th District race are in the Young Guns program. Don Bates, a financial adviser from Randolph County; Bill Frazier, a businessman from Delaware County; John Hatter, a newcomer to politics from Columbus; and Joseph Van Wye, another newcomer to politics from Madison; Travis Hankins of Columbus; Allen K. Smith II; and Joe Sizemore filed in recent weeks for the Congressional race.

According to campaign finance reports released earlier this month, Messer raised $415,000 in 2011 for the campaign. Hankins followed with $161,000, and Bates has $104,000.

Indiana’s 6th District is currently represented by a Republican, Mike Pence, who is leaving the seat to run for governor. The district, realigned for 2013, includes 19 counties in southeastern and eastern Indiana.

Former legislator Luke Messer stands out in this eight-man field. It also includes 2010 U.S. Senate candidate Don Bates, Jr., 9th CD challenger in 2010 Travis Hankins, perennial candidate Bill Frazier, along with John Hatter, Joe Sizemore, Allen K. Smith II, and Joseph Van Wye, Sr.

Messer has a huge money edge with $415,440 raised in 2011 and $290,405 cash on hand. Hankins was second at $161,364 and $68,051 cash on hand, and Bates had $104,306 raised and $30,440 cash on hand. These three represent the credible candidates in this field. Messer has other big advantages. His near upset of Rep. Burton in 2010 has boosted his name ID. In his 2000 race against U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, he carried Wayne and Hancock coun­ties, and represented Shelby and Decatur counties when he was in the Indiana House. He has big money and Jennifer Hallowell, one of the top GOP strategists in the state.

Hankins has an intriguing grassroots organization, coming in second in the 9th CD primary in 2010 to Todd Young and ahead of former congressman Mike Sodrel. But much of that network is in the new 9th, and not the new 6th. Bates has some residual name ID from his Senate run. But both Hankins and Bates will have to find an issue or two to pin on Messer and money to convey it, otherwise Messer’s 12-year dream of becoming a congressman will be realized this cycle.

HPI Primary Horse Race Status: Likely Messer.

Calling for term limits and major spending cuts, five men who hope to replace Mike Pence in the U.S. Congress touted their conservative views during the first debate of the primary campaign Saturday in New Castle.

About 200 people watched at the Raintree Center as the 6th District GOP candidates took turns answering questions posed by moderator and Henry County Council President Nate LaMar.

The candidates who participated in the Henry County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day debate were Don Bates, a financial adviser from Randolph County; Bill Frazier, a businessman from Delaware County; John Hatter, a newcomer to politics from Columbus; Luke Messer, a former state representative from Shelby County; and Joseph Van Wye, another newcomer to politics from Madison.

Three other Republicans are also running for the party’s nomination for the 6th District U.S. representative seat, but they didn’t participate in the debate. Those candidates are Travis Hankins, Allen K. Smith II and Joe Sizemore.

Pence’s seat is open this year because he’s decided to run for governor.

For the most part on Saturday, the candidates’ similarities shined through more brightly than their differences. All five spoke out in support of significant cuts to the federal budget, term limits and big changes to fix what one called the “mess in Washington.”

However, there were a few moments during the hour-long debate when some candidates tried to separate themselves from their opponents.

At one point, Messer, the former executive director of the Indiana Republican Party, said his record working in the Indiana Statehouse set him apart from the rest of the field.

“When I tell you I’m a conservative, you don’t just have to rely on my word for it,” Messer told the crowd. “I’ve got a record that shows you I did.”

Messer said he worked with Gov. Mitch Daniels to balance the state’s budget, and he said he received positive ratings from the the National Rifle Association, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Right to Life.

On the other hand, Bates emphasized his own experience as a financial adviser. Bates said Washington, D.C., has “plenty of lawyers and lobbyists” and needs a financial adviser to stop what he called “fiscal madness.”

A former candidate for U.S. Senate, Bates also told the crowd that he predicted two years ago the nation could lose its triple AAA credit rating.

At another moment, Bates specifically jabbed Messer, who had stated he would appoint a person to focus on federal economic development programs.

“I heard a couple answers that reminded me of old style government politics,” Bates said. “Hiring another federal employee is not going to bring one job back to the 6th District.”

Frazier, who has run for Congress before, encouraged people in the crowd to read his resume on his campaign website. He said, “I will put it up against anybody.”

He added that he works in private business and employees 10 people – without the help of the federal government, he said.

“The people in Washington, D.C., supposedly representing our values and so forth, have really let us down, and I’m really disappointed,” Frazier said. “I hope I get a chance to go up there and stop some of this foolish spending and bureaucracy.”

Van Wye also criticized the federal government’s spending. He said budget cuts are the only way to take on the country’s debt. Van Wye, who called himself a “common, ordinary person,” spoke out in support of a plan that would cut one penny of every dollar the government spends.

“I think we need to get back to the basics,” he said. “We need to follow our Constitution. We need to get control on our spending.”

Likewise, Hatter said the federal government should eliminate pensions and lifetime health care for its employees.

“If 401(k)’s are good enough for the private sector, I think they’re good enough for the majority of the federal government,” Hatter said.

When LaMar specifically asked the candidates what separates themselves from the others, many of the candidates said everyone in the field is good. With a laugh, Hatter – the only blond hair candidate – joked that his hair color separated himself from the others.

The similarities between the candidates stuck out to Todd Hiday, chairman of the Henry County Republican Party.

After the debate, Hiday said while there’s not many differences on some issues, voters in the May 8 primary need to look more closely at the candidates.

“You’ve got to look at what they bring to the table outside of what you heard today,” Hiday said. “I think there’s a couple of them that bring a lot to the table, as opposed to the others.”

Harvey, White vie for votes

Brent Brown  The Greensburg Daily News

Greensburg — Luke Messer, Decatur County native and Republican candidate for the United States Congress’ 6th District, stopped by Storie’s Restaurant Wednesday afternoon for a meet and greet with Tree City citizens.

Accompanied by fellow Republicans Sam Harvey and Bob White, both of whom are seeking the newly-formed District 55 State Representative seat, Messer called back to the days of Ronald Reagan, citing “The Great Communicator’s” optimism and vision as necessary components of today’s GOP and by extension the rest of the U.S.

“Never give up on America,” Messer told a crowd of supporters.

Messer recalled the world in 1979 and drew comparisons between the Carter administration’s double digit employment figures and the hostage situation in Iran with today’s governmental issues. It was Reagan’s “incredible vision for the future” that turned the tide for the United States in the early 1980s, believes Messer.

Also echoing the late President’s patriotic sentiments, Messer stated his belief that freedom still works and that the American people need less government in their lives. “There is nothing wrong with America that can’t be fixed by doing what we’ve done in the past to make this country great,” said the candidate.

Messer also referenced the fact that he’s seeking a job in a U.S. Congress that isn’t particularly popular with a majority of Americans at the moment.

“Only 12 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing right now,” said Messer. “To put that in perspective, 12 percent of Americans support human cloning.” Messer wryly added that he wasn’t certain if “it was the same 12 percent” in both figures and drew laughs at the comparison.

The message being made was that changes in Washington are at the forefront of Messer’s campaign.

Messer told the Daily News that a major tax reform is needed and suggested the possibility of a flat tax. The candidate also mentioned the nation needs an “all of the above” approach to affordable energy. He further touted Reagan’s economic policies as integral in “jump-starting” a listless economy during his two Presidential terms in the 80s.

Fast-forwarding a couple decades, Messer believes his Decatur County upbringing makes him uniquely suited to deal with the nation’s many issues.

“The people of this community really helped shape my brother and I,” said Messer. “I’m always proud to come back here. It’s where I grew up.”

Messer stated his mother is the primary reason he regularly visits Decatur County, but noted that events akin to his Wednesday Storie’s visit are planned to be a common occurrence throughout his campaign. Messer hopes to make several more “formal event” stops in the Tree City ahead of May’s Primary.

Messer was introduced by former State Representative Cleo Duncan, who described Messer as “a wonderful person.” “I’m so happy and proud and honored to be here on his behalf,” she said.

Messer’s Greensburg visit comes on the heels of recent news that the candidate has been officially endorsed by several high-profile Rush County legislators and dignitaries.

The congressional hopeful was flanked by fellow GOP members Sam Harvey and Bob White. Both men were in Greensburg to show support for Messer and

spread word of their unique messages ahead of the coming May Primary election. Harvey and White seek the newly-created District 55 State Representative seat.

Harvey, a Connersville native, told the Daily News his campaign is “kicking into high gear” and stated he’s been a long-time friend of Luke Messer, sharing many of the same values and political hopes.

“We want to get people back to work and get the economy going again,” Harvey stated in a short interview with the Daily News. “The entire district is still above average, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” he continued.

Harvey announced his candidacy in June and believes that conservative values and political ideologies can go hand-in-hand in continuing some of the positive progress seen throughout the state in recent months.

“We must not let this state or this House district fall into the hands of liberals who will increase taxes,” Harvey said in June. “I will never leave the people’s business undone.”

Bob White, who officially “threw his hat in the ring” in January, carries the endorsement of Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert among other notable area GOP members. Mayor Herbert also serves as White’s campaign manager.

White created a “blueprint” for Indiana House District 55 which outlines his ideas for “economic and community development, access to quality healthcare services and restoring integrity in government.”

“The blueprint is only a starting point,” White said at his announcement ceremony in January. “We must forge new economic opportunities that help us thrive and grow. Some may work, some may not; in which case we may need to start over.”

Both Harvey and White have Facebook pages and websites dedicated to their campaigns. White is also on Twitter and can be “followed” on that popular social networking site.

Rush County leaders endorse Messer

The Greensburg Daily News Fri Feb 10, 2012, 11:17 AM EST

Waldron — Republican former State Representative Luke Messer announced on Wednesday that key Rush County leaders endorse his candidacy for Indiana’s 6th Congressional District Republican Primary.

“After serving with Luke in the State Legislature, I’ve seen his leadership ability first-hand,” said former State Senator Bob Jackman. “He is a strong conservative and he will be a great leader for the 6th District.”

Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey noted, “Luke Messer has a strong record of delivering positive results.  He will be a great partner for our county and our city in Congress.”

“I’m honored to have the support of this great leadership team in Rush County,” Messer said. “These individuals have helped their community accomplish great things and I hope to be working with them soon to continue this progress throughout the 6th District.”

Rush County leaders who endorse Luke Messer include Rush County Prosecutor Philip Caviness, Mayor Mike Pavey, City Councilman Brad Berkemeier, City Councilman Brian Sheehan, former State Senator Bob Jackman, former Rush County Prosecutor Paul Barada, Jr. and former Rushville Mayor and former Republican County Chairman John McCane.

“As encouraged as we are by this early support, we are just getting started,” Messer concluded. “We pledge to keep working to build our grassroots team in the weeks and months ahead.”

Luke Messer, 42, is the President and CEO of the Hoosiers for Economic Growth Network and served in the Indiana General Assembly from 2003-2006.  During his tenure in the legislature, Messer earned a 100 percent rating from Indiana Right to Life, an “A” rating from the NRA and was best known for authoring nationally recognized high school drop-out reform legislation. Messer is also a former Executive Director of the Indiana Republican Party, serving from 2001-2005.

Luke grew up in Greensburg, and he and his wife Jennifer are raising their two daughters and a son in Shelbyville. Luke also served as an elder at his church and is the author a children’s book about Indiana entitled Hoosier Heart.  To learn more about Luke Messer’s campaign, log on to www.lukemesser.com.

(Shelbyville, IN)—Today, Republican Luke Messer’s campaign for Indiana’s 6^th Congressional District filed its year end Federal Election Commission finance report announcing that Messer raised more than $415,000 for the year to date including $94,291 in the most recent quarter.

“Over the past ten months, we’ve been working to build a grassroots campaign with the financial strength necessary to win,” said Messer.  “Today, we took another big step toward that goal.  From Muncie to Madison, Hoosier Republicans are joining our campaign to send the next generation of conservative leadership to Washington.”

To date, Messer has raised a total of $415,440 and reported having $290,405 cash on hand. From the start, Messer has consistently outraised the other candidates seeking to replace Congressman Mike Pence.  In the fourth quarter alone, Messer raised three times the amount raised by his closest fundraising competitor.  

*Chart includes candidates who have filed as candidates with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office and the Federal Election Commission.  Numbers taken from FEC Year-End Finance Reports.

“We are in great position to win this race, but we must keep building momentum as we enter the final 90 days,” continued Messer. “It will take a team effort to get this done, and that is happening all across the 6^th District.  People are tired of business as usual in Washington and are looking for leaders with a record of delivering positive results.  They want real leadership, a focus on jobs and the economy – and reform.”   

Luke Messer, 42, is the President and CEO of the Hoosiers for Economic Growth Network and served in the Indiana General Assembly from 2003-2006.  During his tenure in the legislature, Messer earned a 100% rating from Indiana Right to Life, an “A” rating from the NRA, and was best known for authoring nationally recognized high school drop-out reform legislation.  Messer is also a former Executive Director of the Indiana Republican Party, serving from 2001-2005.

Luke grew up in Greensburg, and he and his wife Jennifer are raising their two daughters and a son in Shelbyville.  Luke also served as an elder at his church and is the author a children’s book about Indiana entitled Hoosier Heart.  To learn more about Luke Messer’s campaign, log on to www.lukemesser.com.

Messer files for 6th District seat
January 23, 2012

Greensburg — Republican Luke Messer recently filed paperwork declaring his candidacy for Congress in Indiana’s 6th District. The seat, currently held by Mike Pence, is an open seat as Pence seeks the Republican nomination for Indiana governor.

Messer, who began his campaign in May, has raised over $400,000 and received key endorsements throughout the district.

“This area is my home, and my roots to this district date back almost 40 years,” Messer said. “I grew up here. My wife and I are raising our family here. I worked for the voters in this district as a Congressional staffer and as a member of the Indiana General Assembly. It would be an honor to serve this area as a member of Congress.”

Messer served in the Indiana General Assembly from 2003 to 2006, representing Shelby and Bartholomew counties.

As a state representative, he earned a 100 percent rating from Indiana Right to Life, an “A” rating from the NRA, and was endorsed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, among many others.

“Over the past six months we have campaigned throughout the district, spending time with old friends and meeting new ones,” Messer said. “Voters in our district are tired of President Obama’s failed liberal policies and are looking for conservative leaders who understand what it takes to create jobs and put America back to work. That effort starts with balancing the budget, repealing Obamacare and passing major tax reform.”

Messer grew up in Greensburg. He and his wife, Jennifer, are raising their two daughters and a son in Shelbyville.

To learn more about Messer’s campaign, visit www.lukemesser.com.