INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana Republican Rep. Luke Messer has won an intraparty battle to become the U.S. House Republicans' policy leader.
 
Messer won a closed-door battle for control of the Republican Policy Committee on Thursday, becoming the only member of Indiana's congressional delegation in Republican leadership. He beat out two other congressmen for the fifth-ranking spot for the caucus.
 
The last Indiana congressman to serve in the Republican leadership was then-U.S. Rep. Mike Pence. Pence used his post as chair of the House Republican Conference to develop strong national fundraising ties. He stepped down from the position shortly before announcing he would run for governor.