Seven Republican state senators in Indiana who voted against Donald Trump's mid-decade redistricting push are now facing primary challengers endorsed by the president, turning the state's primary election into a referendum on political retribution.
Trump's Redistricting Campaign
Trump launched a bruising campaign to pressure Indiana lawmakers into redrawing congressional districts, but seven state senators voted against the effort. Trump responded by calling for them to be "primaried" and endorsing their opponents. Trump-aligned dark money groups have spent over $7 million on TV ads in Indiana this year, primarily targeting those Republicans who sided with Democrats in the December redistricting vote, according to AdImpact.
Key Races
In district 38, first-term Republican representative Greg Goode faces a competitive race against city council member Brenda Wilson, who received backing from both Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Trump, as well as a third candidate, Alexandra Wilson. Goode voted against the redistricting push after a town hall where 71 people spoke against the revision and none in favor.
Jim Buck, a state senator from Kokomo for 18 years, also faces a Trump-backed challenger. Buck told NPR, "We've never had Washington meddle into our elections like they have this time. Now I've got over $1 million against me in one race." One ad disparaged the 80-year-old as "old, pathetic, liberal."
Broader Context
Republicans control seven of Indiana's nine congressional districts, and the overall balance of power is unlikely to change in this year's midterm vote. Trump's redistricting scheme aimed to break up Indiana's first and seventh districts, representing Indianapolis and Gary, where Democrats have consistently held seats. Party-spending patterns suggest Republicans expect to retain their seats; Democratic advertisers account for less than 1% of the $25.5 million in ad spending in Indiana's 2026 primary, per AdImpact. Half of Indiana's 50 state Senate seats and all 100 state House seats are up for election in 2026.
Unlike Indiana, lawmakers in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio passed redistricting measures to boost Republican control. Representatives in Alabama and Tennessee have called for special sessions to discuss redistricting after a recent Supreme Court ruling paved the way for revisions in Louisiana. Democrats recently redrew voting maps in California.
In the final days before the primary, Trump urged his TruthSocial followers to vote for a "true Maga Warrior" and provided a link to polling locations on his party's campaign engine, "SwamptheVote."
