Mark Messmer
Majority Leader of the Indiana Senate
In office
November 7, 2018 – August 17, 2022
Preceded byRodric Bray
Succeeded byChris Garten
Member of the Indiana Senate
from the 48th district
Assumed office
November 5, 2014
Preceded byLindel Hume
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives
from the 63rd district
In office
November 5, 2008 – November 5, 2014
Preceded byDave Crooks
Succeeded byMike Braun
Personal details
Born
Mark Alan Messmer[1]

(1967-12-16) December 16, 1967 (age 56)
Jasper, Indiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKim
Children4
EducationPurdue University (BS)

Mark B. Messmer is a Republican member of the Indiana State Senate, representing the Senate District 48 since November 19, 2014. Messmer is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing three terms for the 63rd district from November 5, 2008, to November 4, 2014. He previously served on the Holy Family School Board from 2001 to 2004. He served as its president from 2003 to 2004.

Messmer supported the state mandated purchase of syngas through coal gasification technology.[2] Developers of Leucadia National proposed a $2.6 billion syngas plant in Rockport, Indiana. Under the terms of the deal endorsed by Messmer, the state of Indiana would have bought syngas under a 30-year contract and then mandate that utilities within the state pass on any losses from the transaction on to Hoosier customers.[3] Gas from the plant would make up about 17 percent of the state's supply. The deal received criticism due to government intrusion in the energy markets, and for forcing consumers to sign up for risky long-term gas purchases at prices substantially higher than market prices.[4][5] Questions were also raised due to Leucadia National hiring Mark Lubbers to promote the deal. Lubbers is a former aide and close friend of former governor Mitch Daniels.[6] The project was ultimately panned by the state legislature in 2013.[7]

In 2022, Messmer sponsored a bill that bans the foreign ownership of agricultural land in Indiana.[8][9] He also sponsored bills in 2022 to provide in-state tuition and drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.[10]

In February 2024, Messmer announced his candidacy for Indiana's 8th congressional district in the 2024 election.[11]

References

  1. ^ https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/messmer
  2. ^ "Indiana advances leadership in clean coal technology". Governor's Office. March 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  3. ^ Bradner, Eric (February 14, 2012). "Vectren: Shale-gas boom makes Rockport coal-to-gas deal risky". Indiana Economic Digest. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  4. ^ Bradner, Eric (February 15, 2012). "Indiana House committee hears testimony on planned Rockport coal-to-gas plant". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  5. ^ Evanoff, Ted (January 2, 2011). "Daniels takes natural gas bet that others refused". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  6. ^ Welsh, Gary (May 1, 2011). "Lubbers: Critics Of Coal Gasification Deal Are Sneaky And Evil". Advance Indiana. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  7. ^ Bradner, Eric (2013-04-27). "BRADNER: Rockport plant will never be". Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  8. ^ "Indiana Senate passes bill to restrict foreign ownership of cropland to 320 acres".
  9. ^ "Senate passes bill to keep agricultural land under ownership of Americans". 2 February 2022.
  10. ^ "GOP House hopeful co-authored bills to provide in-state tuition, driving 'cards' to illegal immigrants". 6 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Messmer jumps into 8th Congressional District race". 4 February 2024.

External links

Indiana Senate Preceded byRodric Bray Majority Leader of the Indiana Senate 2018–2022 Succeeded byChris Garten


Members of the Indiana Senate
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