Indiana’s primary elections on Tuesday will determine the fate of eight Republican state Senate races, where President Donald Trump has endorsed challengers to incumbents who opposed his redistricting push. The races have drawn nearly $9 million in advertising, with national groups backing Trump’s push to unseat senators who voted against the redistricting bill in December 2025. The outcome will also decide nominees for U.S. House seats, state legislative positions, and county offices.
Early voting ends Monday at noon, with in-person voting on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m. Tuesday to be counted. The races have become a proxy battle over Trump’s influence in the GOP, with pro-redistricting groups aiming to oust enough senators to remove Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray from his leadership role.
Trump’s Endorsements and Ad Campaigns
Trump has targeted seven incumbent Republican state senators who voted against his redistricting proposal. A Trump-aligned dark money group funneled $1.5 million to an organization running TV ads against the incumbents. In total, nearly $7 million has been spent on TV ads in these races, with the bulk aimed at defeating the senators who opposed the maps. U.S. Sen. Jim Banks has also funded ads attacking the incumbents, labeling them as “anti-Trump” Republicans.
Incumbents Fight Back
Republican state Sen. Spencer Deery, one of the targeted incumbents, has been campaigning door-to-door, dismissing the “RINO” (Republican in name only) attacks in TV ads. He argues the election will hinge on whether voters believe the negative messaging. Deery and other incumbents have emphasized their loyalty to the GOP while opposing Trump’s redistricting plan.
Broader Implications
The races will test Trump’s ability to punish GOP lawmakers who defy him, as well as the effectiveness of his endorsements in primary elections. The outcome could reshape Indiana’s political landscape, particularly in the state Senate, where control of redistricting and other key policies is at stake.