NEW: Trump-Backed Candidates Dominate, Cruise To Victory In opposition to Anti-Redistricting Republicans In Indiana

On May 5, 2026

Several Trump-backed candidates cruised to victory in a slate of closely watched Indiana State Senate primaries on Tuesday night. The races generated national attention after the ousted Republicans voted against a mid-decade redistricting effort that could have gained the GOP two extra seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The redistricting proposal had been a point of contention within the Indiana General Assembly. Trump publicly stated his intent to back primary challengers to senators who voted against the plan, describing it as essential for Republican success in future federal elections.

The president ultimately endorsed seven challengers to sitting senators who opposed redistricting and one candidate in an open seat previously held by a senator who voted against the measure. In addition, Trump endorsed 11 incumbent senators who had supported redistricting or were otherwise aligned with his priorities.

National groups allied with Trump, including Turning Point Action and others tied to Indiana Republican leaders such as Governor Mike Braun and U.S. Senator Jim Banks, contributed significant resources to these contests, with spending estimates reaching several million dollars on advertising and related efforts.

All in all, the president’s proved wildly successful, as the first race was called in favor of Trump-backed candidate Blake Fiechter less than an hour after polls closed. Fiechter managed to unseat incumbent Senator Travis Holdman, who held a massive fundraising advantage and had represented the district since 2008.

All told, five of the seven Trump-backed challengers defeated incumbent senators who had voted against redistricting. In Senate District 1, Trevor DeVries received approximately 75.9 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent Senator Dan Dernulc, while in District 11, Dr. Brian Schmutzler prevailed over incumbent Senator Linda Rogers with 55.8 percent of the vote.

Tracey Powell, a Tipton County commissioner, secured 64.7 percent on route to a victory against incumbent Senator Jim Buck in the state’s 21st district, while State Rep. Michelle Davis won with 58.8 percent over incumbent Senator Greg Walker in District 41.

One Trump-endorsed challenger, Brenda Wilson in District 38, did not prevail, as she received 36 percent against incumbent Senator Greg Goode. Results in at least one additional contested race involving a Trump-endorsed challenger remained close as initial tallies were reported, though the race remains competitive as of this report.

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

Trump-endorsed incumbent senators who faced primaries generally advanced without notable opposition or with comfortable margins, consistent with the pattern in many uncontested or lightly contested Republican primaries statewide. The candidate endorsed in the open Senate District 39 also showed a leading position in early returns.

All in all, across the state Senate primaries where Trump provided endorsements — encompassing the seven challenger races, the open seat, and support for aligned incumbents — the endorsed candidates secured nominations in the large majority of their respective contests.