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Congressman Luke Messer (left), Congressman Todd Rokita (center) and Sen. Joe Donnelly (right)(Photo: Star photo illustration)

Vice President Mike Pence's brother and other Pence associates are lining up behind one candidate in the GOP's effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, widely considered to be among the nation's most vulnerable Democrats.

U.S. Rep Luke Messer, R-Shelbyville,has the support of at least fivePence associates, including the vice president's brother Greg Pence,all of whom are on the congressman's state finance campaign committee.

Messer already isin a heated tussle for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate with U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indianapolis, even though the primary election for that slot won't be until May 2018. Neither has officially announced his candidacy, but the two have been exchanging jabs in recent weeks.

While Vice President Pence himself has not endorsed a candidate, political scientists says the support of Pence associates is a good sign for Messer, who has steadily risen in the U.S. House to become the chamber's fifth-ranking Republican leader.

Its a very good sign, and its a sign that there may be an endorsement later on, said Andy Downs, a political scientist at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The goal is to scare off other candidates if thats possible. I would say its not an uncommon move for a well-known person who wants to try to influence a race but not jump in with an official endorsement.

Marc Lotter, a spokesman for Pence, did not respond for comment on whether the vice president would endorse a candidate in the primary.

Pence: Poll says Trump is his own worst spokesman; Pence does better job

Among other well-known Republicans on Messer's finance committee areMarty Obst, the executive director of Pences gubernatorial campaign; Jim Kittle, Pences campaign finance chairman during that same time; Bill Smith, Pence's former chief of staff; and Bob Grand, the national finance chairman for Pences vice presidential campaign.

Steve Chancellor, who has hosted fundraisers for notable Republicans, including President Donald Trump, also is on the list.

Rokita's finance team has not been released yet, but will be led byDan Dumezich, a former GOP treasurer.

Tim Edson, a spokesman for Rokita, said it was "not surprising" to see Pence supporters on Messer's list.

"Messer represents the same district Pence did," Edson said."Luke Messer's finance committee and his fundraising make clear he is the candidate of the country club Republican elite in Indiana, D.C. and Wall Street including many of the same people who sat on their hands, or even opposed President Trump, even as Trump ran against Hillary Clinton."

According to Edson, Pence told Rokita he would remain "Switzerland" in the Senate race and not choose between Messer and Rokita.

Greg Pence and Kittlesaid they, and others, jumped on the finance team because they've known Messer for years, not to indicate Mike Pence's support.

"Luke has been my congressman. Ive been with him from thevery beginning," Greg Pence said of his involvement in the Messer campaign. "But I did run it by my brother and he did not have a problem with it."

Political scientists saythe implied support of Vice President Pence could help Messer in the primaries.

A finance committee is a very strong way to send a signal of who is on your side, and that is a meaningful signal for potential donors and other supportersto line up early on in the primary season, said Robert Dion, a political scientist at the University of Evansville.

Pence's support can carry a lot of weight in Indiana Republican politics.

He played a significant role in Gov. Eric Holcombs ascensionto governor after Pence dropped out of the gubernatorial race to join Trump on the national ballot. The decision on who would become the Republican gubernatorial candidate was left to the 22-member Indiana Republican State Committee.

Pence endorsed Holcomb in a letter to the committee saying there is no better individual to lead our state than Eric Holcomb. Prior to his endorsement U.S. Representative Susan Brooks, R-Carmel, appeared to be leading in terms of support from the committee. Rokita also sought the GOP nod for governor.

After Pences endorsement, the board chose Holcomb in a secret vote.

The upcoming Senate race isexpected to be highly contested, with Rokita, Messer and Donnelly already the target of TV and YouTube ads. One such ad called into question Rokita's and Messer's health care vote.

Most recently Rokita's spokesman accused Messer's campaign of planting a story about Rokita's use of a private airplane in response to an Associated Press story published in May about Messers wife making $20,000 per month as an attorney for Fishers.

More on the Senate race:

Mayor: Jennifer Messer's $20,000 a month legal contract is a bargain for Fishers

Democrats use health care vote against Hoosiers considering Senate run

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at (812) 549-1429. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.

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Vice President Mike Pence's brother, other allies supporting Luke Messer for US Senate - Indianapolis Star