Trump endorsed GOP challengers in seven state Senate races where incumbents had opposed a congressional redistricting bid backed by the president.
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.
