{"id":2599260,"date":"2026-05-05T23:26:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T03:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-gets-revenge-in-indiana-as-most-incumbents-fall-to-presidents-picks\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T23:28:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T03:28:50","slug":"trump-gets-revenge-in-indiana-as-most-incumbents-fall-to-presidents-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-gets-revenge-in-indiana-as-most-incumbents-fall-to-presidents-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump gets revenge in Indiana as most incumbents fall to president&#8217;s picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-gets-revenge-in-indiana-as-most-incumbents-fall-to-presidents-picks%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599260&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>five incumbent Indiana Republican state senators were defeated in Tuesday\u2019s primaries by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-to-hold-soros-prosecutors-accountable\/\" title=\"How to Hold Soros Prosecutors Accountable\">candidates backed<\/a> by President Donald Trump, as part of a broader push against lawmakers Trump criticized as \u201cRINOs\u201d after the Indiana legislature blocked a Trump-aligned redistricting plan in December. Only one incumbent, Sen. Greg Goode,survived,beating Trump-backed challenger Brenda Wilson in a race still uncalled in another contest between Trump-backed Paula Copenhaver and Sen. Spencer Deery.<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s allies also included Trevor De Vries, Brian Schmutzler, Blake Fiechter, Tracey Powell, and Michelle Davis, who each won against their incumbent opponents. The results were celebrated by Gov. Mike Braun, while Trump and other conservative figures framed the outcomes as political payback and a warning to Indiana GOP leaders. The article also situates the Indiana fights within <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >escalating nationwide redistricting battles leading<\/a> toward the 2026 midterms, noting that recent Supreme Court action in Louisiana is expected to intensify similar disputes in other southern states.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Five incumbent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/indiana\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1228\">Indiana<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"926\">Republican<\/a> state senators lost their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/primaries\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2655\">primaries<\/a> to candidates backed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> and only one survived with one race yet to be called, capping the president\u2019s retribution campaign in the state.<\/p>\n<p>Trump-backed candidates Trevor De Vries, Brian Schmutzler, Blake Fiechter, Tracey Powell, and Michelle Davis defeated state Sens. Dan Dernulc, Linda Rogers, Travis Holdman, Jim Buck, and Greg Walker, respectively, with the race between Trump-backed Paula Copenhaver and state Sen. Spencer Deery still uncalled Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4556609\/trump-revenge-indiana-senate-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump gets revenge in Indiana as most redistricting rebels fall to president\u2019s picks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4556163\/ramaswamy-ohio-republican-gubernatorial-nomination\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ex-2024 hopeful Ramaswamy secures Ohio Republican gubernatorial nomination<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4556483\/trump-indiana-rinos-senate-primary-redistricting\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump taunts \u2018long seated RINOs\u2019 in Indiana Senate with endorsements on the line<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>State Sen. Greg Goode was the lone survivor Tuesday night, fending off a challenge from Trump-backed Brenda Wilson.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Ahead of Tuesday\u2019s contests, Trump had vowed political payback against what he labeled \u201cRINOs,\u201d or Republicans in name only, after the Indiana legislature rejected a Trump-backed redistricting plan. Twenty-one Senate Republicans joined Democrats to block the effort in December. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnybody that votes against Redistricting, and the SUCCESS of the Republican Party in D.C., will be, I am sure, met with a MAGA Primary in the Spring,\u201d Trump wrote on social media afterward.<\/p>\n<p>Among those defeated Tuesday were several longtime lawmakers. Holdman has been a member of GOP leadership since 2008, and Buck, 80, has held office since 1994.<\/p>\n<p>Walker, who had planned to retire after two decades in office, reversed course amid the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-bogs-down-in-georgia-redistricting-fight-sources-claim\/\" title=\"GOP Bogs Down in Georgia ... Fight, Sources Claim\">redistricting fight<\/a>. During the debate, he delivered an emotional speech warning about the party\u2019s future if lawmakers yielded to Trump\u2019s demands.<\/p>\n<p>The lone incumbent to survive, Goode, fended off a crowded primary shaped by Trump\u2019s involvement. Goode defeated Vigo County Councilwoman Brenda Wilson and Alexandra Wilson. While Goode\u2019s challengers share a surname, they are not related.<\/p>\n<p>Gov. Mike Braun (R-IN), who joined the president in endorsing the incumbent challengers, celebrated the election results.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHistoric night for Indiana as Republicans stood with me and President Trump to nominate some great America First conservatives,\u201d Braun <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/braun4indiana\/status\/2051835771238203645?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\">wrote<\/a> on X. \u201cI look forward to winning big in November and serving Hoosiers with this team in the statehouse!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Right-wing podcaster Benny Joshson described the election as a \u201cbloodbath in Indiana.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWeak Republican Indiana State Senators who refused to redistrict are dropping like flies. Trump-endorsed candidates winning in LANDSLIDES,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/bennyjohnson\/status\/2051814321378730238\">wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) also weighed in, saying the elections should serve as an \u201cimportant lesson\u201d to those in Indiana politics.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEveryone in Indiana politics should have learned an important lesson today: President Trump is the single most popular Republican among Hoosier voters,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indystar\/status\/2051844212816031825\">said<\/a>. \u201cIndiana is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gov-newsom-lifts-calif-lockdown-orders-amid-mounting-backlash\/\" title=\"Gov. Newsom lifts Calif. lockdown orders amid mounting backlash\">conservative state<\/a>, and we deserve conservatives in our State Senate who have a pulse on Republican voters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hours before polls closed, Trump mocked the targeted incumbents.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood luck to those Great Indiana Senate Candidates who are running against people who couldn\u2019t care less about our Country, or about keeping the Majority in Congress,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4556483\/trump-indiana-rinos-senate-primary-redistricting\/\">wrote<\/a> on Truth Social. \u201cLet\u2019s see how those RINOS do tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4552292\/trump-clears-field-andy-barr-kentucky-senate-race\/\"><strong>TRUMP CLEARS THE FIELD FOR ANDY BARR IN KENTUCKY SENATE RACE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The clashes come as redistricting battles intensify nationwide ahead of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">2026 midterm elections<\/a>, with both parties pushing to redraw maps in key states including California, Virginia, and Florida.<\/p>\n<p>A recent Supreme Court ruling in <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4410470\/supreme-court-strikes-down-race-based-redistricting-map-in-louisiana\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4410470\">Louisiana v. Callais<\/a><\/em>, which struck down <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-federal-state-lawsuits-seek-constitutional-clarity-on-racial-gerrymanders\/\" title=\"Federal and ... lawsuits aim to clarify constitutionality of &quot;racial gerrymanders.&quot;\">race-based redistricting<\/a> in that state, is expected to accelerate similar legal and political fights in southern states such as Tennessee and Alabama. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Five Indiana GOP incumbents lost Trump-backed primary bids; only one won<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2599261,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26009749724167.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6571,5894,3634],"class_list":["post-2599260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-elections","tag-politics","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26009749724167.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599260"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599264,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599260\/revisions\/2599264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}