Former State Sen. Mark Messmer, left, congratulates his successor, Daryl Schmitt, after the Dubois County Councilman won a caucus vote on Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo from Messmer’s campaign Facebook page)
The Indiana Senate will have a new face joining its ranks after a Wednesday night Republican caucus: Daryl Schmitt, a Dubois County councilman.
Mark Messmer left the district 48 seat after winning the May Republican primary for Congressional District 8 and congratulated “my friend” Schmitt in a Facebook post, saying that Schmitt “will continue to be a great advocate for Southwest Indiana at the Statehouse.”
The caucus vote of local precinct committee members took two rounds of voting to narrow down the field of four candidates, which also included: Amy Kippenbrock, Richard Moss and Todd Smith.
The Dubois County Free Press reported that the first round of voting eliminated Moss while Schmitt picked up votes in the second round, ultimately clinching the seat. Another caucus will be held to fill Schmitt’s seat on the Dubois County Council.
Randy Head, the Indiana GOP chair, thanked the precinct committee members for participating in the vote, which took place at Jasper High School.
“Daryl Schmitt has proven through his experience as a Dubois County Councilman that he will be a leader and champion for conservative values at the Statehouse,” Head said in a statement. “Congratulations to Daryl Schmitt on his victory, we look forward to your service in the State Senate!”
Schmitt will serve for at least two years before facing voters — the seat is up for election again in 2026.
In a Facebook post announcing his intention to run in the caucus as an “America First Conservative,” Schmitt said he was “committed to continuing the strong representation District 48 has experienced over the past decade under Messmer’s leadership.”
“I have been working hard to attend meetings, fairs and festivals to better connect with and understand the constituents of District 48,” Schmitt said in the release.
Schmitt attended Vincennes University and Indiana State University, starting his career with UPS. He is a fifth-generation farmer and also works in seed sales.
Schmitt won a caucus vote to join the Dubois County Council in January of 2023, beating out three other candidates, according to the Dubois County Free Press.
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