Latest news with #MarkMessmer
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Evansville City Councilor Mary Allen launches bid for seat in Congress: 'Why not me?'
EVANSVILLE — Mary Allen is trying to pull off one of the hardest feats in American politics — but that didn't matter to the roughly 250 people who came to Wesselman Park on Wednesday to help launch her campaign for Congress. To them, the at-large member of Evansville City Council offers the best hope 8th District Democrats have to deal a blow to Republican President Donald Trump and help usher in a Democratic House majority. Allen didn't mention Trump's name or the name of the Republican who holds the congressional seat she is seeking, Mark Messmer, in her seven-minute speech. Allen rejects the notion that by running for Messmer's seat she is asking voters to fire him and hire her instead, "I want to tell people why they should vote for me," Allen told the Courier & Press this week. "I'm not telling people why they should fire Mark Messmer. I want people to know and believe in me and why they should hire me." Allen, who was elected to the City Council in 2023, did offer reasons for her new campaign during her announcement speech. They hinted at the frustration of a Democrat confronting the reality of a Republican Congress and White House. "Looking at the national landscape, I was tired of feeling helpless and hopeless," she said. "And I don't know if any of you all can relate to that." The crowd responded with hearty agreement and applause. "And I thought, 'Why not me?'" Allen continued. "Why not? And even more so, 'If not now, then when?'" Elsewhere in her announcement speech, Allen alluded to a need for "new voices in Congress who are willing to make decisions that truly represent the people of the 8th District." More: Messmer makes it official: He will seek re-election to Congress But that was as close as she came to articulating a case against Messmer, who would have a lot of advantages in a general election. The 21-county 8th District, which stretches all the way from southern Posey County up the Illinois-Indiana border to the top of Fountain County, is solidly Republican. Messmer also has the benefits of incumbency — contributions from political action committees, the ability to send taxpayer-funded mailers that tout his accomplishments and the power to help constituents by sorting out their problems with government agencies. A majority member of the House Committee on Agriculture, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Education and Workforce, Messmer also has the unqualified support of Trump, who won the 8th District in the 2024 election with 67% of the vote. And then there's money. Money in a congressional race is very much to the point. Messmer's campaign reports having $427,302 cash on-hand as of June 30 with $8,250 in debt, according to the Federal Election Commission. Allen had a little more than $3,400 in her City Council campaign account as of January. Allen's community service has been her emphasis Against Messmer's advantages, Allen plans to sell herself to voters as a hand-on servant to her community, something she says is "at the heart of" her life. A resident of Downtown Evansville, Allen is the owner/operator of small business Sixth and Zero. The business's website gives a glimpse of where Allen's passions lie. "SIXTH is a nod to the original Sixth Street Soapery in Evansville, IN where we first began creating pure and natural skincare and body products to help you be kinder to yourself (because you are lovely)," it states. "As we learned more about the goodness of nature and being kinder to the planet, we started to expand and carry more products to help us all live more sustainably, thus the ZERO for zero waste. Or as we like to say, zero-ish. Because it's simply about taking our next step to waste less, live more, right?" More: Sources: Democratic Evansville City Council member will run for Congress Allen is the founder of the Haynie's Corner Art District Association and served alongside her husband for a decade in a nonprofit urban ministry. She chairs the board of the Evansville Urban Enterprise Zone, where she says she works to revitalize distressed neighborhoods. She's a member of Rotary International, whose motto, she noted Wednesday, is Service Above Self. Allen recalled the day she decided to create a parent-teacher organization to support the then-newly established New Tech Institute High School in 2010. "(One of her three daughters) was in the first class at New Tech Institute," she said. "When she first started going there, there was no parent-teacher organization. It was literally a freshman class of new students, new teachers, a new principal into this new program and type of school." Allen remembered wondering, "How can we pull everybody together to support one another?" "Just always looking for ways to gather people around a cause, to garner support and just to create a positive environment and change," she told the Courier & Press. Will a positive campaign be enough? Matthew Hanka, a political scientist at the University of Southern Indiana, said it won't be enough for Allen to run a positive campaign that doesn't sharpen the distinctions between her and Messmer. Allen faces the daunting prospects of raising millions of dollars in campaign cash, appealing to people in parts of the 8th District that bear no resemblance to her base in Downtown Evansville and convincing scores of voters who went with Messmer in 2024 to change their minds, Hanka said. And Hanka said he hasn't seen a sign as yet that a national wave of support for Democrats in 2026 is building, Allen will have to artfully blend a rationale for ousting Messmer with positive information about herself, the USI political scientist said. It's a narrow ledge to walk. "You've got to present something and yes, it might be perceived as criticisms or could even be (perceived as) potential attacks, but you're making your case," he said. "Often times you're making your case by saying, 'This is what my opponent isn't doing and here's what I would do.' "If she doesn't mention Messmer at all by name, she runs the risk of it being hard to kind of pinpoint what she's going to do." What happened the last time 8th District Democrats ousted a GOP congressman? It was 19 years ago that Democrats last won the 8th District congressional seat by unseating a Republican congressman. That year, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth defeated Rep. John Hostettler, then a 12-year veteran of Congress. Ellsworth ran a positive campaign — but he didn't shy away from criticizing Hostettler. Hurricane Katrina, which killed at least 1,833 people and ravaged Gulf Coast cities in 2005, was a focal point. Hostettler voted against a $51.8 billion Katrina relief package in 2005, saying he wasn't against aid but preferred smaller amounts and greater oversight. Almost $52 billion was a budget-busting figure and an invitation to fraud, the Republican congressman said. But Ellsworth told the Courier & Press he couldn't fathom why Hostettler would vote no. "These are Americans on our soil that are dying," the Democrat said. "You buck up and do what you have to do." Ellsworth also said, among other things, that Hostettler had been ineffective against a surge of illegal immigrants since his election in 1994. He accused Hostettler's campaign of accepting "dirty special interest money" and said the Republican congressman had stopped listening to voters. But Ellsworth had money. If Allen can't raise several million dollars, Hanka said, she won't be able to get her message out. And even then, the right framing of her differences with Messmer will be critical, he said. "This is somebody who's going to motivate and inspire a lot of people," Hanka said of Allen. "But that alone, when you're trying to convince a blood-red (Republican) district that 'Hey, I'm the person,' there has to be more to bring to it." For her part, Allen envisions earning victory with hard work. "We're going to connect with voters in all 21 counties in person at community events, public forums and door-to-door," she said Wednesday. "Through mailboxes to inboxes, we're going to remind our neighbors that they're not alone — and I say 'we,' because it's going to take all of us." This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville's Mary Allen announces she's running for Congress Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Messmer makes it official: He will seek re-election to Congress
Republican 8th District Congressman Mark Messmer made it official Tuesday: he will run for re-election next year, and he will do so with an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Messmer, a Jasper-based Republican, was elected to his first two-year term in 2024. He succeeded Larry Bucshon, who held the seat for 14 years. The 2026 House race in the 8th District has only begun to take shape, with Democratic Evansville City Council member Mary Allen set to announce her candidacy Wednesday. The 21-county 8th District stretches from southern Posey County up the Illinois-Indiana border to the top of Fountain County. Vanderburgh County is the largest county in the district by far. The district also includes Warrick, Gibson and Posey counties. Messmer, 62, released a written statement with his announcement Tuesday. "We must be bold and unapologetic in fighting for the principles of the American Founding," it says. "We have a leader in the White House who is working every day for the American people and not special interests, and we need members in Congress who will fight with President Trump to make sure America continues to be an exceptional nation filled with promise for the next generation." Trump's statement on Truth Social endorsing Messmer calls him "a fantastic representative." "Mark has an incredible Record of Success, and strong support from his Community," Trump's statement says. "In Congress, he is working tirelessly to Protect 'Hoosier' Values, Support our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Ensure American Energy DOMINANCE by helping to keep the price of Gasoline, Oil, and all forms of Energy VERY LOW (CHEAP!), Help Secure our now VERY Secure (Record Setting!) Southern Border, Champion our Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment." Messmer's campaign reports having $427,302 cash on-hand as of June 30 with $8,250 in debt, according to the Federal Election Commission. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Messmer makes it official: He will seek re-election to Congress Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'Should be prosecuted': House Republicans zero in on Biden autopen pardons after bombshell report
House Republicans are calling for more scrutiny on the roughly 1,500 commutation orders signed by President Joe Biden toward the end of his term after revelations that an autopen was used for a significant number of them. "Americans deserve accountability of their leaders. If an autopen was used to pardon hundreds of people, thousands of people, including the president's son, who made that decision? Was it Joe Biden? Or was it some staffer that used an autopen?" Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., said in a brief interview with Fox News Digital. The New York Times reported earlier this month that autopen signatures were used on clemency orders in the last few months of Biden's White House tenure. Biden told the outlet he made "every decision," and the report details a meticulous process from Biden making his decision to that decision being recorded by aides and passed through a chain of email communication – suggesting the then-president had final signoff. But the report notes, "The Times has not seen the full extent of the emails, so it is impossible to capture the totality of information they contain or what else they might show about Mr. Biden's involvement in the pardon and clemency decisions." Rep. Mark Messmer, R-Ind., suggested pardon decisions carried out in the late hours of the day should be looked at in particular. "I think we need to highly scrutinize the use of autopen signatures that were initiated at 10.45 p.m., well beyond the president's normal day of cognitive activity, need to be brought into question," Messmer said. The report noted one instance where the final word on a particular set of clemency orders was sent just after 10:30 p.m. The Times had reported in July 2024, before he dropped out of the presidential race, that Biden said he would stop scheduling events after 8 p.m. due to the need for sleep. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, argued lawmakers need more information on who was in control of those signatures for public trust. "What people want is accountability. They want to know that what was done in the name of our president who was elected, that he actually bears responsibility for that," Gill said. Another lawmaker suggested courts should even look at nullification. "Maybe some of the pardons and things like that can be rolled back," Rep. John McGuire, R-Va., said. "We'll leave it to the courts to figure that out." Rep. Andrew Cylde, R-Ga., went a step further: "That has to be corrected. It has to be investigated. And those people, really, in my opinion, should be prosecuted for stepping outside the bounds of the Constitution." The House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer, R-Ky., is already investigating the Biden administration's use of autopen and whether former top White House aides concealed evidence of the then-president's mental decline. Ex-White House Chief of Staff Ronald Klain is the latest person expected to appear before House investigators, with a voluntary transcribed interview scheduled for Thursday morning. Democratic allies of Biden have blasted the probe as a political spectacle rather than an honest fact-finding mission. But all the Republican lawmakers who spoke with Fox News Digital argued to at least some extent that Americans want accountability, though some suggested it would be beneficial to focus efforts on the future. "I have to balance my thoughts on this. I think that, you know, it's good to know what happened, to keep it from happening…but on the other hand, I really want to be focused on the future," said Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont. "But I will tell you, the speculation – although I obviously don't know 100% what's true or not – I think the speculation is very probable, just seeing who Biden was at the end of his tenure and knowing that that didn't happen overnight." Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, vice chair of the House GOP Conference, told Fox News Digital, "As far as the previous administration, what's done is done, but it's also good to highlight to the American people, okay, you were in some cases lied to." Notably, autopen is a standard and legal practice that's been used by officials in many past cases, including by President Donald Trump. House investigators are looking into whether Biden really made the final sign-off himself on key decisions, however. The office of former president Joe Biden was contacted for comment.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic marker for first black female Indiana pharmacist
FERDINAND, Ind (WEHT) – The town of Ferdinand is celebrating its rich history by unveiling a new historical marker to Ida Hagan Whitaker, the first black female licensed pharmacist in Indiana. Whitaker grew up in the Pinkston settlement, a free black community just west of Ferdinand. After completing a pharmacy course, Whitaker earned her license in 1909 to practice in Gary, Indianapolis and Ferndinand. 'She did everything with kindness, and I think that's an important lesson to carry on today,' said Kathy Tretter. 'She did everything that she could do to make her world and this world a better place.' The town commemorated her accomplishments with a marker in front of the Wollenmann House on Main Street. Dozens gathered to celebrate, including U.S. Representative Mark Messmer, who says this is a great way to remember Whitaker, especially during a time when it wasn't easy for her. 'It just shows the interest that the people have in the history of Ferdinand and the history of the people who made this community great and the people that contributed to the society in a big way,' he said. 'It shows the broad range of support of the community overall from all over the county and all over southwest Indiana.' Ceremony speaker included Dr. John Clark from the University of South Florida's Taneja College of Pharmacy. Dr. Clark says he does not usually attend events like these, but after hearing Whitaker's story, he made the trip. 'Some of the women that have made big contributions throughout the history of pharmacy are often overlooked and overrated,' he said. 'So, I decided I wanted to be here just for that. To be inspired by everything that she's done and all her accomplishments.' Town officials say they hope the marker is not the last of its kind and hope to see more in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana Democrats hold People's Town Hall in Terre Haute
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— On Friday, the Indiana Democratic Party and local leaders are gathering at the Vigo County Public Library to host a People's Town Hall. According to the news release, this town hall is intended to discuss the real-world impacts of Republicans' cuts to Hoosier healthcare, nutrition benefits, and more. This event is in response to GOP Rep. Mark Messmer not holding his own in-person town hall due to the Republican mandate. According to Politico, this mandate was put in place after the backlash of in-person town halls with Republican lawmakers. Some members in attendance for the panel include State Representative Tonya Pfaff and Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian. The former state representative Dave Crooks will be moderating the town hall. 'Extremists in D.C., including Rep. Messmer, voted to rip away health care coverage and food assistance from Hoosiers in order to fund tax cuts for their wealthy donors. Voters in Indiana are demanding to be heard,' said Indiana Democratic Party Spokesperson Sam Barloga. 'Rep. Messmer has been a cheerleader for Trump and Musk's dangerous tariff agenda. He is sitting idly while Hoosier jobs are at risk. Our first People's Town Halls in Bloomington, Lafayette, and New Albany showed the anger and frustration Hoosiers are feeling. They want to be heard, and their Republican representatives are hiding from them. If Rep. Messmer refuses to hold a public, in-person town hall and answer to Hoosiers' pressing concerns, voters will look to leaders who will.' The event for the voters in Indiana's 8th District will be held at the library's main branch located at 640 Poplar Street. It will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and those who wish to participate can RSVP at this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
