The leader of the House School Choice Caucus could become the next Secretary of Education. The Trump administration is considering Rep. Luke Messer for the spot, and the Indiana Republican says he’d be excited to take the job.
“Donald Trump ran on a big and bold education agenda, and I’d be excited to help make that agenda a reality,” Messer told The Washington Examiner on Thursday.
The school choice advocate serves on the Education Committee and in House leadership as the chair of the House Republican Policy Committee. From those posts, Messer has made education issues a top priority.
Most recently, Messer sponsored legislation that would allow Indiana veterans to recoup part of their 9/11 GI Bill benefits. And he introduced legislation that would block President Obama’s administration from enforcing their transgender bathroom director.
Before Congress, Messer worked as the president of School Choice Indiana, which advocated for increasing families’ education options.
“Ending common core, providing better educational opportunities for 11 million kids in poverty, putting moms and dads back in charge of their child’s education,” Messer asked The Washington Examiner, “who wouldn’t get excited about that?”
Though Messer wouldn’t say if he’d been in contact with the Trump transition team, he has strong ties with the administration. During the campaign, Vice-President elect and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence tapped one of the congressman’s staffers to work on education issues.
Messer’s resume and Hoosier connection make him a viable candidate in a crowded field. Candidates range from Purdue University President and former Republican Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to Democrat Michelle Rhee, the controversial chancellor of the District of Columbia Public School System.
Contrary to Messer’s compliments, Trump barely mentioned education on the campaign trail. Instead, whoever wins the job will work closely with the vice president to set the education agenda.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
