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Luke Messer

Allen Lucas "Luke" Messer (born February 27, 1969) is an American Republican politician and lobbyist who represented Indiana's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019. Born in Evansville, Indiana, Messer graduated from Greensburg Community High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College in 1991 and a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1994. He began his political career in the Indiana House of Representatives, serving from 2003 to 2013, where he rose to the position of Assistant Majority Floor Leader. In Congress, Messer focused on fiscal conservatism, tax reform, and deregulation, chairing the Republican Policy Committee during his tenure and contributing to efforts on health care policy and economic growth initiatives. He sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2018 but was defeated in the primary by Mike Braun. Following his congressional service, Messer transitioned to the private sector as principal at Bose Public Affairs Group and previously served as chief executive of the Indiana Business Health Collaborative, leveraging his experience in policy and advocacy.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Allen Lucas Messer was born on February 27, 1969, in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. He spent much of his early years in the small town of Greensburg, Decatur County, where his family emphasized the importance of perseverance and hard work amid everyday challenges. Messer has described being raised primarily by a in Greensburg, a that shaped his and in a rural Midwestern setting. These formative experiences in a modest, community-oriented town influenced his later emphasis on and practical problem-solving, values he credits to his upbringing. He graduated from Greensburg Community High School in 1987, marking the end of his local public education before pursuing higher studies. Public records indicate Messer's ongoing connection to his mother, including co-ownership of a residence in Indiana, reflecting familial ties rooted in his early life. Limited details on his father's role suggest a household structured around maternal guidance, though specific parental names remain private. This background in southeastern Indiana's agricultural and manufacturing economy provided a foundation of Midwestern pragmatism that Messer has referenced in discussions of personal development.

Academic achievements and early influences

Messer graduated from Greensburg Community High School in Greensburg, Indiana, in 1987. He then attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech summa cum laude in 1991. At Wabash, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society, and participated in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. To support himself through college, Messer held multiple jobs, reflecting a self-reliant approach shaped by his economically challenging early circumstances. Messer continued his studies at Vanderbilt University Law School, where he served on the law review and received a Juris Doctor degree in 1994. These academic pursuits, combined with practical work experience, underscored his emphasis on discipline and merit-based achievement, influences that later informed his policy focus on education reform.

Pre-political career

Legal practice and professional roles

Messer earned a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School and subsequently pursued legal roles in both private and public sectors. In 1995 and 1996, he worked as an attorney in Koch Industries' crude oil pipeline division. He then served as legal counsel to Republican U.S. Representatives, including Dan Burton of Indiana and David McIntosh of Indiana, from 1998 to 1999, assisting on legislative matters during their terms in the House of Representatives. Returning to Indiana in 1999, Messer joined the Indianapolis office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, where he practiced as an associate from 2000 to 2001, focusing on general legal services for clients in a prominent Midwestern firm known for corporate and government affairs work. Following his service in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2003 to 2006, during which he maintained involvement in legal matters, Messer transitioned back to private practice and has been actively practicing law since 2006, though specific firm affiliations in that period emphasized advisory roles intersecting with policy.

Initial involvement in policy and advocacy

In 1999, Messer served as legal counsel to the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs of the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform, where he contributed to oversight and policy development on federal regulatory frameworks and economic growth initiatives. This role marked his entry into national policy work, focusing on streamlining government operations and addressing regulatory burdens under Republican leadership. Following an unsuccessful bid for Indiana's 6th congressional district in 2000, Messer was appointed the first executive director of the Indiana Republican Party, serving from 2001 to 2005. In this capacity, he led statewide party operations, including the formulation and promotion of Republican policy positions on issues such as taxes, education reform, and limited government, while coordinating candidate recruitment and grassroots advocacy efforts to advance conservative principles in Indiana. His tenure coincided with efforts to rebuild the party's infrastructure after electoral setbacks, emphasizing advocacy for free-market policies and opposition to expansive state interventions.

Indiana House of Representatives

Elections and terms served

Messer was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in the November 5, 2002, general election, representing the 57th District, which included Shelby and Bartholomew counties. He assumed office for the 2003 legislative session and served the 2003–2005 term as a Republican. In the May 4, 2004, Republican primary for District 57, Messer received 4,946 votes, securing the nomination. He won the November 2, 2004, general election, beginning his second term in the 2005 legislative session and serving through 2007. Following the completion of his second term, Messer opted not to seek re-election in 2006, retiring from the to pursue opportunities in the . The House passed House Resolution 107 in 2006 honoring his service to District 57 and the state.

Key legislative initiatives and votes

Messer, serving in the House from February 2003 to 2006, prioritized reforms emphasizing parental choice and reduced union influence in public schools. He sponsored a measure that increased barriers to teacher unionization, aiming to limit power and enhance administrative flexibility in hiring and contracting. This aligned with broader efforts to address perceived inefficiencies in 's education system amid debates over teacher contracts and school performance. As a proponent of school choice, Messer co-founded the Indiana chapter of the American Federation for Children, an organization that advocated for expanded voucher programs and charter school access during his legislative service. His work laid groundwork for subsequent state expansions in private school scholarships, reflecting a commitment to market-based alternatives over traditional public monopolies, though major voucher implementation occurred post-tenure under Governor Mitch Daniels in 2011. On fiscal matters, Messer supported conservative positions in committee work, including as vice chair of the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, where he backed redistricting and procedural reforms favoring limited government. His voting record emphasized restraint on spending increases, consistent with GOP priorities in a period of balanced budget pushes, though specific roll-call data from the era highlights alignment on tax relief proposals without notable deviations.

Lobbying and consulting work

Firms affiliated with and client representation

Following his departure from the Indiana House of Representatives in 2006, Messer joined Ice Miller LLP as a partner in the firm's public affairs group, focusing on government affairs services related to Indiana's legislative, executive, and municipal entities. In this role, he represented clients including Bosma Enterprises, Citizens for a Secure and Safe America, the City of , and the City of . After leaving the U.S. in January 2019, Messer affiliated with Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting as a principal and co-leader of its federal advocacy team in , where he advised clients on federal regulatory and policy developments. By July 2019, following the firm's merger into Biddle & Reath LLP, he registered as a lobbyist representing interests, specifically Energy Fuels Inc. and Ur-Energy Inc. In September 2021, Messer transitioned to Bose Public Affairs Group as a principal, counseling corporate clients on state and federal policy matters in Indiana and Washington, D.C., while also serving as a partner at affiliated law firm Bose McKinney & Evans LLP in its business services, labor and employment, and financial services groups. Through Bose Public Affairs Group, his lobbying activities have included representation of Elanco Animal Health, with disclosures indicating work for three clients as of 2023 and continued activity into 2025.

Focus areas and influence on policy

Messer’s lobbying and consulting efforts have centered on energy policy, particularly advocating for uranium producers seeking favorable regulations on nuclear fuel production and imports. In 2019, while at Faegre Drinker, he registered to lobby on behalf of Energy Fuels and Ur-Energy, two uranium mining companies, focusing on issues related to domestic energy supply and executive branch policies. His activities included outreach to the White House, Vice President Mike Pence’s office, and the National Security Council in early 2020, aiming to shape administrative decisions on national security and resource policy. In transportation and infrastructure, Messer has represented clients like Republic Airways Holdings and Egis SA, counseling on federal aviation regulations, airport funding, and engineering projects as a principal at Bose Public Affairs Group since September 2021. These efforts target appropriations and regulatory frameworks to support airline operations and international infrastructure development. Similarly, his work with Elanco Animal Health has emphasized policies on veterinary pharmaceuticals and agricultural innovation, including FDA approvals and trade issues. Earlier, from 2006 to 2012 at Ice Miller LLP, Messer focused on state-level public affairs, representing local governments like the cities of Greensburg and Shelbyville, Indiana, as well as Bosma Enterprises on economic development and security matters through groups such as Citizens for a Secure and Safe America. This period highlighted advocacy for municipal funding and homeland security enhancements. His overall influence operates through former congressional relationships, enabling client access to legislative and executive channels, though lobbying disclosures primarily document advocacy attempts rather than enacted policy changes.

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 election and entry into Congress

Indiana's 6th congressional district election in 2012 followed redistricting based on the 2010 census, which configured the district as strongly Republican-leaning with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+12. Incumbent Republican Mike Pence vacated the seat to successfully run for governor of Indiana. The Republican primary, held on May 8, 2012, featured a crowded field including state Representative Luke Messer, state Senator Travis Hankins, and Don Bates Jr. Messer, who had previously served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 and as executive director of the Indiana Republican Party from 2001 to 2005, secured the nomination with 41.7% of the vote (32,859 votes), ahead of Hankins at 29.5% (23,276 votes) and Bates at 13.8% (10,913 votes). In the general election on November 6, 2012, Messer faced Democrat Brad Bookout, a small business owner, and Libertarian Rex Bell. Messer won decisively with 59% of the vote (162,519 votes) to Bookout's 35% (96,627 votes) and Bell's 6% (15,962 votes), reflecting the district's partisan composition and Messer's strong Republican primary performance. Messer was sworn into the United States House of Representatives as part of the 113th Congress on January 3, 2013, representing Indiana's 6th district. He quickly assumed a leadership role, elected president of the Republican freshman class.

Committee assignments and caucus participation

Messer served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce during the 113th Congress (2013–2015), where he contributed to efforts addressing postsecondary education accountability and student protections, including support for H.R. 1949 to improve program integrity in . He focused on subcommittees dealing with and workforce issues, aligning with his prior state-level experience in . In subsequent congresses, particularly the 114th (2015–2017) and 115th (2017–2019), Messer was assigned to the House Committee on Financial Services, participating in its organizational activities and bill approvals on regulatory reform, such as measures to limit federal banking interventions and support small business lending. He engaged in subcommittees on capital markets and government-sponsored enterprises, advocating for deregulation to reduce Wall Street bailouts. Within the House Republican Conference, Messer held leadership positions, including chair of the House Republican Policy Committee from January 2015 to January 2019, where he coordinated policy development on economic and fiscal issues, such as conservative energy agendas and financial reforms. Messer participated in multiple informal congressional caucuses reflecting his priorities in education, health, manufacturing, and international relations. He chaired the Congressional School Choice Caucus, which he founded in his first term to promote expanded educational options. Other memberships included the Congressional Coal Caucus, Manufacturing Caucus, Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and Republican Israel Caucus, among over 20 others focused on issues like foster youth, adoption, and automotive policy. These affiliations facilitated bipartisan collaboration on targeted legislative advocacy without formal policymaking authority.

Tenure highlights and major legislative efforts

Messer served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, focusing on higher education policy and student loan reforms, including efforts to prevent interest rate hikes on federal student loans through cosponsorship of the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911) in 2015. He also held assignments on the House Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on the Budget, and briefly the Committee on Foreign Affairs, contributing to oversight of fiscal policy and banking regulations. In the 115th Congress, he was named chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, where he coordinated policy development for Republican members on priorities such as tax reform and healthcare overhaul. A key legislative effort involved opposition to the Affordable Care Act, with Messer sponsoring H.R. 4775 in 2014 to exempt schools from ACA-mandated employer insurance levies and H.R. 6300, the Unaffordable Care Act, in 2016 to repeal ACA subsidies and mandates, emphasizing their fiscal impact on families and businesses. He voted in favor of the American Health Care Act in May 2017, the House's initial ACA repeal and replacement measure, aligning with Republican priorities to reduce federal healthcare spending. Messer supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, backing permanent corporate tax reductions from 35% to 21% and individual rate cuts, which he described as essential for economic growth in manufacturing-heavy districts like Indiana's 6th. On education, Messer introduced H.R. 5477 in 2014 to expand school choice options, including tax credits for contributions to scholarship organizations, and H.R. 3774, the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act, in 2017 to streamline credit transfers for associate degree students pursuing bachelor's programs. He cosponsored H.R. 948, the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, in 2015, requiring congressional pay forfeiture during deficit spending exceeding thresholds. Fiscal conservatism marked his record, with a 90% score from Heritage Action on key votes supporting spending restraint and deregulation. Few of his sponsored bills enacted into law, reflecting the challenges of a divided Congress, but his cosponsorships exceeded averages for House Republicans, totaling 306 in the 114th Congress alone. In 2018, Messer sponsored H.R. 4863, the SWAMP Act, targeting congressional ethics by limiting post-service lobbying for members, and H.R. 563 to exempt certain low-income individuals from ACA individual mandates. He advocated for filibuster reform via H. Res. 712, arguing it obstructed majority rule on budget and judicial confirmations. These efforts underscored his emphasis on limited government, with GovTrack ranking him among the more ideologically conservative members on enacted legislation proximity.

2018 U.S. Senate campaign

Primary competition and strategy

In the Republican primary for the 2018 U.S. Senate election in Indiana, held on May 8, Luke Messer faced competition from fellow U.S. Representative Todd Rokita, representing Indiana's 4th congressional district, and businessman Mike Braun. The contest was characterized by a longstanding personal and political rivalry between Messer and Rokita, who had competed against each other since their time as undergraduates at Wabash College in the early 1990s. Braun, entering as a political outsider, self-funded his campaign extensively and positioned himself against the Washington establishment, labeling Messer and Rokita the "Swamp Brothers" in advertisements. Messer's strategy emphasized his congressional experience, conservative legislative record on issues like education reform and school choice, and alignment with President Donald Trump's agenda, including support for Trump's North Korea diplomacy efforts. He secured endorsements from GOP establishment figures, such as six former Indiana Republican Party chairmen and Greg Pence, brother of Vice President Mike Pence, while raising nearly $3.1 million in campaign funds. Messer portrayed himself as the strongest candidate to unseat Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly, highlighting his pro-life stance, Second Amendment advocacy, and consistent voting record in support of Trump-era policies. The campaign tactics turned heavily negative, with Messer and Rokita exchanging attacks on personal matters, including Messer's past DUI convictions from 1990 and 1996, Rokita's alleged prior criticisms of Trump, and mutual accusations of ethical lapses such as lobbying ties and residency issues. Messer also targeted Braun over his history of voting in Democratic primaries and business interests benefiting from tax policies. This infighting, which dominated the race for over a year, allowed Braun to conserve resources and advance his outsider narrative through self-funded spending exceeding $4.6 million by late April, ultimately contributing to Messer's third-place finish with 29% of the vote behind Braun's 41% and Rokita's 30%.

Key issues emphasized and voter reception

Messer emphasized economic policies aligned with President Trump's 2017 tax cuts, highlighting their role in delivering pay raises, employee bonuses, and higher take-home pay for Indiana residents, while defending the measures against deficit critiques by arguing they spurred broader growth. On trade, he supported tariffs targeting China's unfair practices, such as intellectual property theft and currency manipulation, asserting they would ultimately benefit Hoosier workers and farmers despite short-term agricultural risks. Healthcare reform featured prominently, with Messer advocating replacement of the Affordable Care Act due to its projected fiscal burdens, consistent with his prior House votes to repeal it. Immigration policy was framed around establishing clear enforcement measures, though specifics in campaign rhetoric centered on national security and border control as part of conservative priorities. In the May 8, 2018, Republican primary, Messer garnered approximately 22.4% of the vote, finishing third behind winner Mike Braun (51.0%) and Todd Rokita (24.0%), in a contest totaling over 791,000 votes. Despite early endorsements from Indiana GOP establishment figures and victories in January 2018 state party straw polls, voter reception turned against him amid mutual attacks with Rokita that highlighted insider status over Braun's self-funded outsider appeal. The primary's focus on personal rivalries rather than policy contrasts, coupled with Braun's business background and alignment with Trump-era populism, contributed to Messer's underperformance in a race seen as competitive nationally.

Post-Congressional career

Lobbying registrations and private sector roles

Following his departure from the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2019, Messer joined the government affairs and public policy practice at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (subsequently Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP after a 2019 merger) in Washington, D.C., focusing on advising clients in the private sector. Federal law barred him from direct lobbying contacts with members or staff of Congress for one year, though he could immediately engage executive branch officials. Messer registered as a federal lobbyist in July 2019, complying with Lobbying Disclosure Act requirements after the initial cooling-off period. In 2020, he was disclosed as lobbying on behalf of six clients through Faegre Drinker. In September 2021, Messer left Faegre Drinker to become a principal at Bose Public Affairs Group LLC, an Indianapolis-based firm affiliated with Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, where he counsels corporate and nonprofit clients on federal and Indiana state policy matters, including strategic communications and government relations. He has been registered as a lobbyist with Bose Public Affairs Group from 2021 through 2025, including disclosures for three clients in 2025.

Appointments and executive positions

In February 2024, Messer was named Chief Executive of the Indiana Business Health Collaborative (IBHC), a nonprofit partnership of Indiana employers, health care providers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders focused on lowering health care costs, enhancing workforce wellness, and promoting market-driven reforms. Under his leadership, IBHC has commissioned reports analyzing Indiana's health care spending patterns and outcomes, emphasizing transparency and competition to address rising costs that exceed national averages. Messer serves as Chief Financial Officer at Teays River Investments, an Indiana-based firm, a role he assumed following approximately five years in executive strategy and finance capacities at prior organizations. On September 19, 2024, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb appointed Messer to the Ports of Indiana Commission, a seven-member board responsible for managing the state's four deep-water river ports, fostering economic development, and optimizing multimodal logistics infrastructure to support trade and job creation. The appointment leverages Messer's congressional experience in transportation and economic policy. Messer maintains his longstanding position as President of the Hoosiers for Economic Growth Network, a policy advocacy group he has led since 2010, directing efforts to advance tax relief, regulatory reform, and business-friendly initiatives in Indiana.

Ongoing policy advocacy and writings

Following his departure from Congress in January 2019, Messer has focused significant efforts on health care policy reform through leadership roles in Indiana-based initiatives. In February 2024, he became Chief Executive of the Indiana Business Health Collaborative (IBHC), a coalition comprising employers, health care providers, insurers, and educational institutions dedicated to lowering health care costs, bolstering workforce health, and promoting market-driven solutions to Indiana's health challenges. Under his direction, IBHC has prioritized expanding the state's health care workforce via training programs and apprenticeships while critiquing regulatory barriers that inflate costs, such as certificate-of-need laws. In October 2024, IBHC, led by Messer, commissioned and released a report analyzing Indiana's health care expenditures and outcomes, highlighting per capita spending exceeding the national average by over 10% and advocating data-driven interventions to enhance transparency and competition among providers. Messer has positioned the organization as a nonpartisan advocate for employer-led innovations, including value-based care models and reduced administrative burdens, drawing on his congressional experience with health policy to engage state legislators and federal regulators. Messer has contributed writings reinforcing these themes, including a June 7, 2024, opinion column in the Indiana Business Journal urging multistakeholder collaboration to address Hoosier-specific issues like rural access shortages and rising premiums, which he attributes partly to overregulation rather than market failures. He has also authored pieces for outlets like the Indiana Capital Chronicle, emphasizing practical reforms over expansive government programs. Concurrently, as a principal at Bose Public Affairs Group since 2021, Messer advises clients on broader policy intersections, including labor, financial services, and infrastructure, though his public commentary remains centered on health and economic competitiveness.

Political philosophy and record

Economic and fiscal conservatism

Messer has advocated for tax reforms aimed at simplifying the code and reducing rates to spur economic growth. He voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (H.R. 1), which lowered the top individual income tax rate from 39.6% to 37%, reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and doubled the standard deduction, among other provisions. In a 2017 opinion piece, he contended that these cuts would generate jobs and higher wages by incentivizing investment and consumer spending. Messer emphasized linking tax policy to achieving sustained 4% annual GDP growth as a prerequisite for reducing the national debt, stating that economic expansion at that level would enable fiscal progress without immediate spending cuts. He opposed income tax increases, aligning with positions that prioritize lower taxation to foster private sector activity over government revenue maximization. On federal spending, Messer supported constitutional constraints to enforce fiscal discipline. He backed a balanced budget amendment requiring congressional supermajorities for deficit spending or tax hikes, a stance he articulated during his 2010 campaign for the Indiana House. Messer also endorsed capping federal spending growth at the rate of per capita income increases to prevent inflation-adjusted expansions of government programs. During the 2013 debt ceiling debates, he voted for legislation prioritizing payments on existing obligations—such as Social Security and debt interest—over discretionary spending in the event of a limit breach, aiming to avert default while signaling commitment to spending restraint. His service on the House Budget Committee from 2013 to 2019 involved reviewing annual budget resolutions, where he consistently pushed for reductions in non-defense discretionary outlays. Messer's record earned high marks from conservative evaluators for advancing limited-government principles. In the 115th Congress (2017–2019), he received a 90% score from Heritage Action for America, reflecting support for bills promoting deregulation, tax relief, and spending controls, such as the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. These positions underscore a philosophy viewing taxpayer funds as belonging to individuals rather than an entitlement for government expansion, with borrowing viewed as unsustainable without corresponding growth in private productivity.

Social and cultural issues

Messer maintained staunch pro-life positions throughout his congressional tenure, advocating for bans on partial-birth abortions, post-viability abortions, sex- or race-selective abortions, and procedures after 20 weeks of gestation except to preserve the mother's life. In May 2017, he sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which sought to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks based on fetal pain capacity. He also opposed taxpayer funding of abortions through mechanisms like the Affordable Care Act, aligning with a 100% pro-life voting record as documented by advocacy trackers. On marriage and family policy, Messer opposed same-sex marriage, expressing this stance explicitly in September 2012 during his House campaign. In July 2015, following the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision, he affirmed respect for faith-based objections to the ruling, emphasizing traditional values. He co-founded the faith-based nonprofit Childshare to support foster care placements, reflecting endorsement of religious involvement in child welfare, and in May 2014 sponsored a resolution recognizing National Foster Care Month to promote family stability. Messer championed Second Amendment rights with a perfect 100% rating from the National Rifle Association, opposing restrictions on gun purchases and advocating for concealed carry reciprocity across states. In criminal justice matters, he backed the death penalty for the murder of law enforcement officers, as evidenced by his support for related legislation in February 2015, and maintained a hardline anti-drug policy, earning a "D" rating from NORML for opposing marijuana legalization efforts. In education, viewed through a cultural lens of parental rights, Messer promoted school choice via vouchers and local control, criticizing federal overreach, and in 2016 founded the Congressional School Choice Caucus to advance these reforms. He tied such policies to family empowerment, arguing in October 2015 that they enable Hoosier families to direct their children's upbringing free from bureaucratic interference. Additionally, he supported work requirements for welfare recipients to foster personal responsibility, as stated in March 2013 advocacy.

Health care and education reform

Messer consistently advocated for the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, arguing it imposed burdensome mandates and increased costs for individuals and businesses. In 2010, during his Senate campaign, he pledged to defund, repeal, and replace the ACA with free-market alternatives to address its negative impacts on the middle class. As a member of the House from 2013 to 2019, he co-sponsored H.R. 45 in the 113th Congress and H.R. 596 in the 115th Congress, both aimed at fully repealing the ACA and its associated health care reconciliation provisions. He voted for the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in May 2017, which passed the House narrowly and sought to dismantle key ACA components like individual mandates and subsidies while introducing block grants for states. Following the Senate's failure to advance repeal legislation in July 2017, Messer criticized the outcome but emphasized the need for market-driven reforms to lower premiums and enhance competition. He also pushed for permanent repeal of the ACA's medical device tax, which he viewed as hindering innovation and job growth in the sector, including a two-year suspension achieved in 2015 and further efforts in 2017. On intersections between health care and education, Messer introduced the Safeguarding Classrooms Hurt by Obamacare's Levies (SCHOOL) Act in May 2014, which aimed to exempt K-12 schools from ACA-related taxes and employer mandates to preserve funding for educators and students amid strained budgets. The bill sought to prevent job losses and redirect resources toward classroom needs rather than compliance costs. In education policy, Messer championed school choice initiatives to empower parents and promote competition among providers, founding the Congressional School Choice Caucus during his tenure. He introduced amendments and legislation, such as in the Every Student Succeeds Act reauthorization efforts, to permit federal funds to follow students to public, private, or charter schools, arguing this would improve outcomes by fostering accountability and innovation. Messer supported charter schools and state-led reforms, testifying in 2014 for measures to streamline federal funding and bolster states' flexibility in standards implementation, while expressing reservations about centralized mandates like Common Core that could undermine local control. Additionally, he co-sponsored H.R. 2092, the Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act, in April 2015 to restrict the sale of student data without consent, prioritizing parental oversight in digital education environments. These positions reflected his broader philosophy of reducing federal overreach, emphasizing empirical evidence from choice programs in states like Indiana that demonstrated gains in student performance for underserved populations.

National security and immigration

Messer advocated for robust border security measures, viewing illegal immigration as a threat to national sovereignty and public safety. He opposed amnesty programs, arguing that undocumented immigrants should leave the United States and apply for legal status from abroad rather than receiving in-country pathways to citizenship. During his congressional service, he supported legislation to strengthen enforcement, including a 2017 vote for H.R. 2213, the Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act, which expedited hiring for U.S. Border Patrol agents to address staffing shortages and improve operational effectiveness. In 2018, Messer cosponsored H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, aimed at amending immigration statutes to enhance physical barriers, technology deployment, and personnel along the southern border. He also defended the use of existing authority for border wall construction, noting in 2017 that the Secure Fence Act of 2006 explicitly permitted such barriers without new congressional approval, a position verified as accurate. His record earned a B+ rating from NumbersUSA for efforts to reduce illegal immigration through enforcement prioritization over expansion of legal admissions. On broader national security matters, Messer served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2019, contributing to oversight of international threats and U.S. diplomatic strategy. He consistently backed defense authorizations, voting yes on H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which authorized $716 billion in military spending, including funds for troop readiness, missile defense, and counterterrorism operations, and passed the House 359-49 on July 26, 2018. Messer framed border security as integral to national defense, aligning with Republican critiques of lax enforcement under prior administrations as enabling transnational crime and terrorism risks.

Controversies and criticisms

Personal conduct allegations

In 1990, Luke Messer was convicted of driving under the influence after crashing his vehicle into a ditch in Shelby County, Indiana. A second DUI conviction followed later in the 1990s, both occurring during his early twenties while he was a student at Wabash College. Messer completed court requirements for both cases without further legal repercussions at the time, and no additional DUI convictions have been reported since. These convictions remained undisclosed publicly when Messer entered politics in 2003, appointed to the Indiana House of Representatives to replace Mark Stine, who had been killed by a drunk driver. Local Republican leaders stated they were unaware of the incidents during the selection process, as Messer chose not to volunteer the information despite the circumstances of Stine's death. Messer's campaign later described the decision as a personal matter from his youth, emphasizing his subsequent sobriety and family responsibilities. The matter resurfaced during the 2018 Republican primary for U.S. Senate, where opponent Todd Rokita highlighted the DUIs to question Messer's judgment and consistency on public safety issues. Messer responded by acknowledging the past mistakes as youthful errors, noting they predated his marriage and children, and arguing they did not reflect his current character or record. No formal ethics probes or legal actions stemmed directly from the non-disclosure.

Campaign disputes and residency questions

During Luke Messer's 2018 Republican primary campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Indiana, opponents raised questions about his residency, emphasizing that his family lived in a home in McLean, Virginia—a Washington, D.C., suburb—while he listed a co-owned property with his mother in Greensburg, Indiana, as his address for voter registration and driver's license purposes. Messer had sold his prior Indiana residence in 2014, two years after his initial election to represent Indiana's 6th congressional district, and he also owned a vacation property in Dandridge, Tennessee, designated as a secondary residence. His wife, Jennifer Messer, an attorney, had not been registered to vote in Indiana since 2012 and conducted much of her contract work for the city of Fishers, Indiana—earning $580,000 since 2015—from the Virginia home, though she used the Greensburg address as her business mailing address. Primary challenger Rep. Todd Rokita directly attacked Messer on the issue, stating, "Luke Messer doesn’t live in the state—I do," and his strategist described the residency arrangement as a potential "death knell" for Messer's campaign. Messer's campaign responded by defending the Virginia residence as prioritizing family needs, with Messer asserting, "I am proud to serve our state, but being a dad comes first," and his manager, Chasen Bullock, decrying the attacks as unbecoming of Hoosier values. Messer commuted from Virginia for campaign events, occasionally staying overnight at the Greensburg property, though records showed he was not listed on the water bill there since May 2017 and was not a borrower on a second mortgage for the home. The rivalry escalated into disputes over online narratives, including anonymous Wikipedia edits in June and July 2017 that added a "Controversies" section to Messer's page, featuring a "Residency issues" subsection detailing his move to McLean, Virginia, and framing it as relocation to a "wealthy D.C. suburb," alongside notes on his wife's Fishers contract earnings. Messer's team attributed the edits—made under obscure usernames targeting only his page—to Rokita's campaign, which denied involvement and suggested possible interference from Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly's allies, who also rejected the accusation. These residency questions did not lead to formal legal challenges but amplified broader primary tensions, contributing to Messer's third-place finish behind winner Mike Braun.

Revolving door concerns and lobbying ties

Following his departure from the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2019 after three terms representing Indiana's 6th congressional district, Luke Messer joined Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting as a principal and co-leader of its federal advocacy practice in Washington, D.C., where he advised clients on legislative and regulatory matters. In July 2019, Messer registered as a federal lobbyist with the firm, disclosing work on behalf of clients including Energy Fuels Inc., a uranium mining company seeking policy support for domestic production, and other entities in energy and security sectors. Messer later transitioned to Bose Public Affairs Group, an Indianapolis-based firm, as a principal counseling corporate clients on state and federal policy issues, continuing his involvement in advocacy that intersects with governmental processes. This pattern mirrors Messer's earlier career trajectory: after leaving the Indiana House of Representatives in 2006 following three terms, he became a registered lobbyist with Ice Miller LLP, a major Indiana law firm with a lobbying division, where he worked until returning to elected office in 2012. Such transitions between public service and private lobbying have been documented in Messer's profile by the Center for Responsive Politics, highlighting his status as a "revolver" who moved through multiple roles involving influence on legislation. Critics of the revolving door phenomenon, including watchdog groups like Public Citizen, argue that it enables former lawmakers to monetize insider knowledge and relationships, potentially prioritizing client interests over public accountability, as evidenced by broader analyses of the 2019 congressional class where nearly two-thirds of departing members entered roles influencing federal policy. During his 2018 U.S. Senate campaign, opponents such as Rep. Todd Rokita portrayed Messer as emblematic of Washington establishment ties due to his prior lobbying stints, accusing him in ads of being a "never-Trump lobbyist" who supported policies like amnesty and tax increases while leveraging connections for private gain—claims rooted in Messer's pre-Congress lobbying record and family relocation to the D.C. area. These attacks amplified concerns about potential conflicts, though Messer defended his moves as standard professional progression without admitting impropriety. No formal ethics violations tied directly to his lobbying activities have been substantiated, but the transitions underscore ongoing debates about restrictions on post-government employment to mitigate undue influence.

Electoral history

State-level races

Messer was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives representing District 57 in the November 5, 2002, general election, defeating Democratic incumbent Thomas F. Nolan II with 66 percent of the vote. District 57 encompassed portions of Shelby and Decatur counties in eastern Indiana. As a freshman legislator, he focused on fiscal conservatism and served on the House Ways and Means Committee. He won re-election on November 2, 2004, securing another term amid a Republican wave that expanded the party's majority in the Indiana House to 52 seats. Messer did not seek re-election in 2006, opting to retire after two terms; the House honored his service to District 57 via Resolution HR 0107, recognizing his contributions to economic growth initiatives and constituent representation. His decision to step down followed his tenure as executive director of the Indiana Republican Party from 2005 to 2006.

Federal elections

Luke Messer was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in Indiana's 6th congressional district in the 2012 elections. He won the Republican primary on May 8, 2012, with 41.7 percent of the vote (32,859 votes) against five opponents. In the general election on November 6, 2012, Messer defeated Democratic nominee Bradley Bookout with 59.1 percent of the vote (162,613 votes) to Bookout's 35.0 percent (96,270 votes), while Libertarian Rex Bell received the remainder. Messer was reelected in 2014 after running unopposed in the Republican primary on May 6. In the general election on November 4, 2014, he secured 65.9 percent of the vote (102,187 votes) against Democratic challenger Susan Hall Heitzman and Libertarian Eric Miller. In 2016, Messer won the Republican primary on May 3 with 77.7 percent (91,828 votes) over two challengers. He then prevailed in the general election on November 8, receiving 69.1 percent (204,920 votes) against Democrat Barry Welsh and Libertarian Rich Turvey. Instead of seeking reelection to the House in 2018, Messer entered the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Joe Donnelly. On May 8, 2018, he finished second with 28.8 percent (146,131 votes), behind winner Mike Braun's 41.2 percent and ahead of Todd Rokita's 30.0 percent, ending his congressional bid.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Messer is married to Jennifer Messer, with whom he has three children: daughters Emma and Ava, and son Hudson. The family resided in Shelbyville, Indiana, during Messer's congressional tenure, though they maintained a home in the Washington, D.C., area. Messer and his wife co-authored and illustrated the children's book Hoosier Heart: A Story about Hoosiers and the Great State of Indiana, which features young protagonists modeled after their children and promotes Indiana heritage.

Health and residences

Messer and his family have resided in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, specifically suburban Virginia, since relocating there after his 2012 election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to this move, the family lived in Shelbyville, Indiana, in the 6th congressional district he represented from 2013 to 2019. He co-owns a home in Greensburg, Indiana, with his mother, which they purchased together before his marriage and which he has described as the family's longstanding Indiana property. Following his departure from Congress in 2019, Messer joined a Washington-based lobbying firm, maintaining his professional base in the D.C. area.