As Mary Allen strides into the Democratic watch party Tuesday night, Vanderburgh County Democratic party Chair Sheryl Schultz announces her entry as the Democratic Candidate for the 8th District of the US House — a race she’s been running for eight months.
Allen, of Evansville, is the projected winner of the Democratic Primary. Allen will face Republican Incumbent Mark Messmer in November.
“Saying ‘thank you’ just isn't enough,” she said. “My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who has shown up, everyone who's voted, did all the things — we have an amazing team.”
There were three other candidates on the ballot across the district. But Allen took 83-percent of the primary votes in the county — more than 5,700. She said the next step for her — more campaigning.
“We've put over 25,000 miles in the car, traveling the 21 counties, and we're just going to continue to drive that home — pun intended — to be in as many places as we can all the time, meeting as many people as we can, having conversations, listening and showing up …”
This will include collaborating with the newly selected Democratic candidates in those 21 counties.
She said while her campaign will be outspent by her opponent, her and her team plan to out work them.
Allen took the ‘Political Integrity Pledge’ — meaning she doesn’t take corporate PAC money.
“A lot of folks have resonated with, you know, I share about being part of the Take Back Congress initiative. A lot of people have resonated with that. They're asking me, Are you taking corporate PAC dollars? Are you taking foreign lobby dollars? They're tired of money infiltrating our campaigns and infiltrating our, you know, representatives, decision making.”
The Integrity Index Website has 83 candidates as of this report who’ve taken the same pledge — 82 Democrats and one independent.
Allen currently has $208,812.91 in total campaign contributions.
Allen was endorsed by the 8th District Indiana Democrats. She’s an Army Reserve veteran and current Evansville City Council member.
WNIN will produce a General Election Feature on both Allen and Messmer ahead of the election day.
