Mark Leyva was born on October 1, 1959 in East Chicago, Indiana to Anthony and Sally Leyva. As one of six children growing up in Northwest Indiana, Mark’s parents instilled in him a strong sense of family values and a work ethic that have guided him in his current political mission.

Today, Mark’s son Mark, Jr. has proudly served our great country for nine years in the United States Army, and has completed two tours of duty in Iraq. He is a graduate of Highland High School.

Mark Leyva is a textbook example of our Founding Father’s concept of a politician: a citizen-statesman who performs double-duty as both a tradesman in his community and a member of congress in Washington. Only in this way could our representatives truly understand and fight for the needs of their constituents. Mark Leyva’s experience as a blue-collar worker in the Region makes him ideally qualified for the role of citizen’s representative as our Founding Fathers envisioned it.

Mark is a professional union Carpenter and a former 1010 Steel Worker in Hammond. Under the supervision of professors Martin L. Gross, Walter Williams, and Pat Choat, Mark has pursued his passion and become a self-taught expert on politics, the government, and the economy. He has been an increasingly prominent figure in the political scene in Northwest Indiana, and ran as the Republican Congressional candidate in the general election for Indiana’s 1st District in 2008.

Mark Leyva is a devoted member of Highland’s St. James Roman Catholic Parish, where he serves as an usher at the weekly 7:30 am Mass. In his spare time, he is an avid golf, racquetball, and biking enthusiast.