On Tuesday night, several candidates backed by Trump achieved convincing victories in key Indiana State Senate primaries. The races became focal points nationwide after certain Republicans voted against a mid-decade redistricting proposal that could have added two seats for the GOP in the U.S. House.
This redistricting effort sparked intense debate within the Indiana General Assembly. Trump openly supported primary challengers for senators who opposed the initiative, labeling it crucial for the Republican Party’s future electoral success.
The former president endorsed seven challengers aiming to unseat sitting senators opposed to redistricting and supported one candidate in an open seat previously held by a senator who voted against the reconfiguration. Additionally, Trump backed 11 incumbent senators who were aligned with pro-redistricting efforts.
Allied national organizations, including Turning Point Action and groups associated with Indiana leaders like Governor Mike Braun and Senator Jim Banks, invested heavily in these races, with spending estimates reaching millions in advertising and campaign efforts.
Trump’s strategy proved effective when the first results favored Blake Fiechter, a candidate he endorsed, who unseated incumbent Senator Travis Holdman shortly after polls closed. Holdman had a significant fundraising edge and had represented the district since 2008.
Ultimately, five out of seven Trump-supported challengers defeated incumbents who opposed redistricting. In Senate District 1, Trevor DeVries won approximately 75.9 percent of the vote against incumbent Senator Dan Dernulc. In District 11, Dr. Brian Schmutzler achieved victory over incumbent Senator Linda Rogers with 55.8 percent.
Tracey Powell, serving as a Tipton County commissioner, secured 64.7 percent against incumbent Senator Jim Buck in District 21. Meanwhile, State Rep. Michelle Davis succeeded with 58.8 percent over incumbent Senator Greg Walker in District 41.
One Trump-endorsed candidate, Brenda Wilson in District 38, was unsuccessful, garnering only 36 percent against incumbent Senator Greg Goode. Results for another contested race involving a Trump-endorsed challenger remain tight, suggesting an ongoing competition.
Indiana State Senate Primaries (% Reporting)
D 1: 🔴 Trump endorsed +47 (35%)
D 11: 🔴 Trump endorsed +12 (66%)
D 19: 🔴 Trump endorsed +22 (73%)
D 21: 🔴 Trump endorsed +20 (72%)
D 23: 🔴 Trump endorsed +8 (23%)
D 38: 🟡 incumbent +18 (66%)
D 41: 🔴 Trump endorsed +18 (89%) pic.twitter.com/ASlSQz44DP— OSZ (@OpenSourceZone) May 6, 2026
Incumbent senators supported by Trump generally advanced with ease through their primaries or secured wins by substantial margins, following the trend in many light or uncontested Republican primaries statewide. The endorsed candidate in the open Senate District 39 also showed a favorable position in initial results.
Overall, in the Senate primaries where Trump offered his backing, including the seven challenger races and the open seat, endorsed candidates largely prevailed in their nominations across Indiana.
