An Evansville City Council member has officially entered the race for Indiana’s 8th District seat in Congress.

Mary Allen launched her campaign this week making a stop in front of a crowd of about 250 supporters at Wesselman Park in Evansville on Wednesday. Allen is a first-term at-large councilwoman and small business owner, says she’s running to bring new voices to Washington and offer voters someone they can believe in.

Allen acknowledged the uphill battle in a district that heavily favored Donald Trump in 2024.

Allen has been making stops across Southwest Indiana, meeting with local Democrats, including party leaders and office holders from Knox County.  She met several for lunch on Wednesday at a downtown Vincennes restaurant.

Her campaign emphasizes community service, economic revitalization, and what she calls a desire to end the feeling of helplessness in the current political climate.

Current Republican Incumbent Congressman Mark Messmer of Jasper who serves on several congressional committees announced his re-election bid this week.

Messmer says he’s running to continue fighting for conservative principles.