By Lawrence Wilson
INDIANAPOLIS—Several Republican state senators who opposed a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump lost primary election challenges on May 5 to candidates endorsed by the president.
Twenty-one GOP senators had voted against the redistricting plan, some citing lack of support for it in their districts and suspicion of Washington-based insiders meddling in state politics.
Trump endorsed challengers in seven races where those senators faced primary opposition.
In Indiana’s congressional races, incumbents fared better. Six easily overcame primary challengers as three others ran unopposed.
Trump favored a congressional redistricting plan that would have redrawn the electoral map to favor Republicans in the two congressional seats now held by Democrats. Vice President JD Vance made two trips to the state to lobby for the plan. Gov. Mike Braun also strongly supported it.
The measure passed in the state’s lower chamber on Dec. 5 despite 12 Republicans opposing it there.
However, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) had consistently warned there were not enough Republican votes in the upper chamber to pass the measure. That despite the GOP holding a 40-10 majority.
Some senators opposing the plan also reported being the targets of intimidation tactics, including bomb threats.
“After considering all the arguments offered in support of mid-cycle gerrymandering, I see no justification that outweighs the harms it would inflict upon the people’s faith in the integrity of our elections and our system of government,” Republican Sen. Spencer Deery said in a floor speech.
The Senate defeated the bill on Dec. 11, 2025, with 21 of 40 Republicans joining all Democrats in voting against it.
After the vote, Republican Sen. Linda Rogers said, “I have heard from thousands of constituents who were overwhelmingly opposed. When I chose to run for Senate District 11, I promised to serve and advocate for those in our local community, and I believe I upheld that promise today.”
Of the 21 who voted against redistricting, 11 were unopposed in the May 5 primary, and two announced prior to the redistricting vote that they would not seek reelection. Eight of the group were challenged in the primary, and Trump endorsed the opponent in seven races.
Trump’s endorsement frequently referred to the incumbent Republicans as RINOs who had failed the people of Indiana.
Some primary voters favored redistricting, though others opposed it.
“I thought it was a good idea,” Brad of Indianapolis said. “I would not vote for anyone who did not support it,” the retired Marine Corps veteran told The Epoch Times. He declined to provide his surname for privacy reasons.
Robyn Jedlicka, also of Indianapolis, was pleased the effort failed. “I think districts should be representative of the people who live there,” she told The Epoch Times.
Incumbent Sens. Dan Dernulc, Linda Rogers, Travis Holdman, James R. Buck, and Greg Walker lost their primary races.
Sen. Greg Goode defeated a Trump-backed opponent. Sen. Spencer Deery’s race was too close to call at the time of publication.
Democrats Carson, Mrvan Prevail
Both of Indiana’s Democratic congressmen easily fended off their primary challengers.
Rep. André Carson (D-Indianapolis) defeated two relatively strong candidates: George Hornedo, who served in the Obama administration’s Department of Justice, and Destiny Scott Wells, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve who won the Democratic nomination for state attorney general in 2024.
Campaign worker Fatima, of Indianapolis, was surprised that Carson faced challengers but was confident the longtime District 7 representative would prevail. “I don’t think he needs to lose any sleep over it,” she told The Epoch Times.
Carson enjoyed a significant fundraising advantage, having raised nearly $800,000 by April 15 to the roughly $270,000 raised by Hornendo and nearly $55,000 by Wells.
“Thanks to the power of people and prayer, we’re one step closer to defeating attacks on our rights, our economy, and our democracy,” Carson said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times. “Marion County voters turned out because we believe in a future where no one struggles to buy groceries or pay their bills.”
The third-term Democrat will face Republican Barb Regnitz in the general election. The First District is rated as “Likely Democrat” by election analyst Cook Political Report but is considered winnable by Republicans.
Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Highland) easily defeated challenger LaVetta Sparks-Wade to gain the nomination in District 1.
Mrvan will face Republican Barb Regnitz in the general election for a seat some Republicans consider vulnerable despite its long history of Democratic control.
US House Republicans Glide to Victory
Four Republican members of Congress defeated their primary challengers: Reps. Marlin Stutzman, Jim Baird, Victoria Spartz, and Jefferson Shreve.
Republican Reps. Rudy Yakym, Mark Messmer, and Erin Houchin were unopposed.
