Trump-Backed Candidates Win Five of Eight Indiana Senate Primaries

President Donald Trump emerged as the big winner in Indiana's primary even though he was not on the ballot. His endorsed candidates claimed decisive victories in several state primaries in the Republican stronghold, showing his firm control over the party.

Political observers watched Indiana's contest closely as the first major test this month of Trump's endorsement strength in GOP primaries. He passed with flying colors.

Five months earlier, Republicans in the GOP-controlled Indiana state Senate rejected congressional redistricting despite heavy pressure from Trump and his allies. The plan would have added two more right-leaning U.S. House seats before the midterms.

On Tuesday, eight of those state senators faced primary challengers. Trump endorsed opponents against seven of the eight lawmakers.

Five Trump-backed candidates won their races. One incumbent held on, and one contest remained undecided early Wednesday morning.

"Everyone in Indiana politics should have learned an important lesson today: President Trump is the single most popular Republican among Hoosier voters," said Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana, a leading Trump supporter in the Senate.

Banks helped lead the push to oust the incumbents. He added that "Indiana is a conservative state, and we deserve conservatives in our State Senate who have a pulse on Republican voters."

Trump's team ramped up efforts right after the redistricting defeat in December. A Republican source said American Leadership PAC and Hoosier Leadership for America, groups tied to Banks and steered by Trump strategist Andrew Surabian, spent over $8 million on TV and digital ads.

Team Trump operatives organized the campaign starting in February and provided most of the funds. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also gave several hundred thousand dollars.

Turning Point USA's political arm and the Club for Growth backed Trump in the state.

Club for Growth President David McIntosh, a former Indiana congressman, called it "a big win for Trump." He said the victories send "a signal to the entire party that our base wants us to fight for what we believe in."

Trump posted on social media as results came in to celebrate each win.

The incumbents raised more money than their challengers and got support from the Indiana Senate GOP caucus. But pro-Trump outside spending and voter turnout efforts made the difference.

"The resources that he [Trump] can bring to a state Senate race are overwhelming," said veteran Republican strategist Marc Short, who served in the first Trump administration.

Short, a former top advisor to Mike Pence, said the races turned on allegiance to Trump and that the president retains huge influence in the party.

Trump's endorsement power faces another test soon in Louisiana's primary. Sen. Bill Cassidy confronts challenges from Rep. Julia Letlow, whom Trump endorsed, and state Treasurer John Fleming.

Cassidy was one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump after his 2021 impeachment over the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The Senate acquitted him. Cassidy has backed Trump's agenda since the second term began 15 months ago.

If no one gets 50 percent, the top two advance to a June 27 runoff.

Three days later on May 19, Kentucky's 4th Congressional District holds its primary. Rep. Thomas Massie faces Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL. Massie has criticized Trump on issues like the Epstein files and foreign policy.

Trump's pick is also in play in Georgia's GOP gubernatorial primary that day for the 2026 race to replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp. Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who battles healthcare executive Rick Jackson and others including Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Republicans saw warning signs in neighboring Michigan. Their candidate Jason Tunney lost badly to Democrat Chedrick Greene in a special election for the 35th Senate District seat in Midland and Saginaw.

Greene's win marks another strong Democratic showing in special elections since Trump returned to the White House 15 months ago. It bolsters their push to flip GOP majorities in the House and Senate this fall.