As of Tuesday, 11:00 p.m. ET, five of the six Indiana state Senate races where President Donald Trump backed a primary challenger against the incumbent had been called. The result? Four senators who opposed Trump’s call to approve new maps and voted down redistricting have been given their walking papers.
It’s a wipeout so far in Indiana.
Trump-backed Republicans are steamrolling the anti-redistricting faction inside the GOP caucus tonight, sending a clear warning to Republican legislators in red state across the country: keep blue seats at your own risk. https://t.co/UllbWp30k2 pic.twitter.com/7n16nFdHlg
— Zachary Donnini (@ZacharyDonnini) May 6, 2026
Senate District 41 was first on the chopping block. Trump-backed challenger Michelle Davis has run away with the votes, beating out incumbent Greg Walker for the seat. The same with Senate District 19, where Trump-backed challenger Blake Fietchter soundly defeated incumbent Travis Holdman.
Indiana State GOP Senator Travis Holdman, who voted against congressional redistricting in the Hoosier State’s Senate, lost tonight to Trump-endorsed Republican primary challenger Bluffton City Council member Blake Fiechter in the largely rural northeastern Indiana 19th district… pic.twitter.com/agX2i8z36W
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) May 5, 2026
Indiana State GOP Senator Travis Holdman, who voted against congressional redistricting in the Hoosier State’s Senate, lost tonight to Trump-endorsed Republican primary challenger Bluffton City Council member Blake Fiechter in the largely rural northeastern Indiana 19th district per AP.
State Senate District 11 saw the Trump-backed challenger Brian Schmutzler defeat incumbent Linda Rogers by eight points.
DDHQ Race Update (est. 53% in): Indiana State Senate 11 Republican Primary
Brian Schmutzler (R): 1,267 (54.1%)
Linda Rogers (R): 1,077 (46.0%)Follow more results here:https://t.co/MWUY4TiSts pic.twitter.com/udrmsSJuMD
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) May 5, 2026
The Trump-backed challenger Trevor De Vries defeated State Senate 1 incumbent Dan Dernulc, and it wasn’t even close.
DDHQ Race Update (est. 45% in): Indiana State Senate 1 Republican Primary
Trevor De Vries (R): 2,202 (72.9%)
Dan Dernulc (R): 770 (25.5%)De Vries is the Trump-endorsed candidate.
Follow more results here:https://t.co/3K9hH5dHaa pic.twitter.com/KUdgwWomi3
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) May 5, 2026
The race for State Senate District 23 is still too close to call, with only three votes separating Trump-endorsed Paula Copenhaver from incumbent Spencer Deery.
This race is definitely going to a recount. Only three votes separate the two Republican candidates in Indiana State Senate 23
Copenhaver is the pro-redistricting Republican who was endorsed by Trump. https://t.co/maoF22FeTy pic.twitter.com/IUOElWSgUN
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) May 6, 2026
Incumbent Greg Good of Senate District 38 managed to fend off his Trump-backed challenger, Brenda Wilson. While Trump did not endorse a challenger in Senate District 6, the incumbent, Rick Niemeyer, was still defeated by candidate James Starkey.
VoteHub projects James Starkey (R) has defeated Rick Niemeyer (R) in Indiana Senate 6
6th Republican to be voted out after voting against redistricting
(Trump did not endorse a candidate in this race) https://t.co/eaVPGfZRIT pic.twitter.com/jQ5Ux23hl9
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) May 6, 2026
In November 2025, President Trump pushed for Indiana Republicans to redistrict. However, State Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray and the Republican stalwarts resisted and managed to vote down the measure to approve maps that would have been favorable to the GOP.
Despite repeated calls from President Trump to pass a mid-decade redistricting map that would likely net the Republican Party seats in next year’s midterm elections, Indiana Republicans voted Thursday afternoon to reject the map favored by the White House. The final vote in the Indiana state senate was 19 in favor, 31 against the measure; Republicans currently hold a 40-10 supermajority in the chamber.
Read More: LIVE: Election Results – Indiana and Ohio
Breaking: Indiana Republicans Betray Trump on Redistricting, Reject Map Favorable to GOP
Early Vote Action founder and president Scott Presler, along with TPUSA Action did the ground game for these races, working to get out the vote for the Republican challengers to ensure the defeat of the incumbents.
Already 6 targeted Indiana State Senate races have been called in favor of grassroots candidates over the establishment Rs who betrayed the base on redistricting. Waiting on 2 more but it’s clear the Trump Team delivered @salerGT and @JamesBlairUSA
Also major congrats to our…
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) May 6, 2026
By a significant measure, it worked to Trump’s advantage. For those who predicted this would be a disaster and proof of Trump’s waning influence, they are now eating their words.
While the night is still young, I want to take the opportunity to clarify one matter regarding the President’s political team and our support for Indiana redistricting:
No, we were not bluffing.
— Tim Saler (@salerGT) May 6, 2026
Pretty savage. Also savage: Scott Presler issued this shot across the bow aimed at Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
Senator @JohnCornyn,
Are you watching what’s happening tonight in Indiana?
Your Texas Senate runoff is quickly approaching on Tuesday, May 26th.
Pass the SAVE America Act — peacefully.
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) May 6, 2026
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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