INDIANAPOLIS -- In January, U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind. District 8 announced that he would be retiring following the 2024 session, opening the door for a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives for southwest Indiana. According to previous reports, Bucshon thanked his constituents for trusting him as their representative in the U.S. Congress at the time. "Throughout the history of the United States, one of our strengths has always been the ability of our elected leaders — and the American people — to debate the issues in a public forum," Bucshon said at the time, "and then ultimately find common ground and compromise on solutions that benefit the American people. It is still true today and this principle always prevails."  In November, residents of the state's eighth district will be able to apply that principle in action, getting to decide between three candidates for the open seat, including: Indiana State Senator Mark Messmer - Republican Erik Hurt - Democrat K. Richard Fitzlaff - Libertarian Mark Messmer According to his campaign website, Indiana State Senator Mark Messmer, R-District 48 is a native of southern Indiana. Through his time in the Indiana State Senate, Messmer said he has " fought tirelessly to promote economic growth, safeguard individual liberties and uphold... constitutional values." Messmer added that those are things he said would continue in the U.S. House of Representatives if he is elected. As a member of the Indiana State Senate in 2024, Messmer was part of the following committees: Homeland Security and Transportation Committee Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee Public Policy Committee Veterans Affairs and the Military Committee "As (a) congressman, Mark Messmer will continue to fight for the same values he learned growing up in Jasper as he works to make our communities stronger and more prosperous," his website said. "They need to know that he'll stand up to the woke mob in DC, that he'll end birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants and that he is a pro-Trump conservative." Some of the issues that Messmer's campaign is focusing on include: Pro-life Messmer said he will continue to defend the unborn and work to expand adoption and other alternatives. Cryptocurrency Messmer said he is an advocate for a "regulatory overhaul" surrounding cryptocurrency, including one that promotes blockchain technology, upholds financial privacy and aligns with market liberty. Israel Messmer said he "steadfastly" supports Israel's sovereignty and stands in solidarity with the country "in its pursuit of peace and security." Border security Messmer said that, through his time in the Indiana State Senate, he has a "strong track record" of voting on immigration-related issues, even co-authoring SEA 181, which was a bill centering on a ban of sanctuary cities. Messmer said that border security is a big issue, not only in Indiana but throughout the country. We've got to lock down our border," Messmer said. "We need immigrants in our workplaces, in our workforce, but we've got to control who's here. We've got to know who's here." Erik Hurt Throughout the course of his campaign, Erik Hurt said on his website that he has spoken with Hoosiers of the eighth district, learning what is been important to them. An Evansville native, Hurt said he was inspired to engage in politics from a young age, leading him to pursue political science and history degrees. What Hurt aims to do throughout his campaign is to be a public servant, stating he would be an advocate for his constituents' best interests if he is elected to the seat. "Let’s unite to advocate for the rights of ALL Americans. I’m running for Congress to champion the rights of everyday Americans and combat corporate greed," Hurt's campaign website reads. "I believe in an Indiana and an America where ALL of us can live without fear of being who WE are. Let’s build this movement into a future we all can believe in." On Hurt's campaign website, officials listed many of his stances on several topics, like women's rights, the economy, law enforcement and education. Some of those stances include: Making Election Day a federal holiday and abolishing the Electoral College Codify abortion rights by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act Enshrine a $20 minimum wage with provisions that pay increases automatically to keep up with inflation Guarantee six weeks of paid vacation and 16 weeks of paid parental leave Establish a 32-hour workweek All K-12 school meals should be free across the board Universal pre-k, universal community college and debt-free four-year universities Immediate cancelation of student loan debt Legalize marijuana On his website, Hurt also said that it is important to "crackdown on gun violence" through gun regulation. This includes requiring background checks, banning assault weapons and requiring safe gun storage. "I think both are necessary in order to reduce the amount of gun violence in this country: gun regulation and investing in mental health care," Hurt said. K. Richard Fitzlaff The seat's Libertarian candidate, K. Richard Fitzlaff said on his website that he is approaching his campaign with "honesty, integrity (and) accountability." Fitzlaff, a southern Indiana resident, said that his background in owning a small business helps him understand the needs of working Indiana residents, along with the impacts of "out-of-control spending" at the federal level and the "burden of runaway taxes and regulations." Some of the issues that Fitzlaff is focusing on throughout his campaign include: Lower taxes for all Fitzlaff said he believes the current federal income tax system is "unfair, overly complex and almost impossible for most Americans to understand." Fitzlaff believes a system should be in place for Americans to keep their paycheck and "only pay taxes on what (they) spend." Social security Fitzlaff said he believes that social security should be transformed into a system of individual accounts. This would allow individuals to divert their half of the payroll tax to individually owned, privately invested accounts. The traditional social security system would remain, for those who choose to remain in the system. End deficit spending Veterans care Fitzlaff said that his veterans care proposal creates a veterans' personal care account, allowing veterans to get whatever care they need and wherever is most convenient for them. Fitzlaff also said he would abolish selective service. Term limits Fitzlaff said that term limits would help ensure that open-seat races are hosted on a regular basis, as well as address the "top-down power structure in Washington by allowing for less senior members to hold leadership roles." Early voting has started in the State of Indiana. Marion County voters are able to vote at the Indianapolis City-County Building, as well as other locations starting on Oct. 26. That information can be found if you click here. For early voting locations in your area, visit the Vote 411 website.