More than 500 Hoosiers Step Forward to Support Luke Messer's campaign for Congress

(Fishers, IN) - Coming on the heels of the 3rd Quarter Federal Election Commission finance reports showing Republican 5th District Congressional candidate Luke Messer with a strong fundraising lead over the field of challengers to incumbent Congressman Dan Burton, Messer announced today an impressive list of elected officials, Party leaders, and general endorsements - more than 500 in all.

Messer endorsements include State Senators, State Representatives, County Sheriffs, County Prosecutors, County Commissioners, City and County Council Members, City and Township Officials, the State Commissioner of Labor, and former Indiana OMB Director and Secretary of Commerce.

Party endorsements include Indiana Republican National Committeeman, former State Republican Chairman, former State Republican Vice Chairwoman, former Republican National Committeewoman, current and former Republican State Committee members, current and former College Republican officers, and current and former County Republican officers.

All told, the list includes over 100 endorsements from elected officials and Republican Party leaders and more than 500 general endorsements. In recent weeks, Messer has also announced more than 680 individual contributors to his campaign and more than 1500 members on his campaign Facebook page.

"We're excited by this growing team of hundreds of Hoosiers ready to change leadership and build a brighter future for the 5th Congressional District, our country and the Republican Party. Most importantly, we are just getting started. We invite others to join this important effort in the days and weeks to come," Messer said.

Click here for press release.

GOP needs to settle on a challenger to Burton in 5th District race

October 23, 2009 Matthew Tully

For a few months, the crowded field in the 5th District Republican primary didn't seem to hurt the four men taking on incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Burton.

If anything, the roster of top-tier challengers drew attention to the race much earlier than otherwise would have been the case and underscored just how tired many Republicans have grown of Burton. Even in a year with no candidate elections in Indiana, many people have paid attention to this 2010 race.

The campaign is unusual; sitting members of Congress rarely face serious challenges from within their own party. The emergence of four intraparty challengers reveals just how vulnerable Burton is considered after years of embarrassing escapades -- from his poorly timed golf trips to his wild conspiracy theories...

... Luke Messer: The 40-year-old former state lawmaker from Shelbyville has been seen from the start as the lead challenger in this race. He's raised the most money among those not named Burton and has built a solid base of support. Thoughtful and politically savvy, he is the challenger with the best chance of defeating Burton and then emerging as a strong member of Congress.