Trump-Backed Challengers Face Indiana State Senators in Key Primaries

Primary day arrived Tuesday in Republican-dominated Indiana, where President Donald Trump's influence over the GOP faces a test through his endorsements in key races.

In neighboring Ohio, another right-leaning state, top primaries set up general election matchups for November's midterms, when Republicans defend slim Senate and House majorities.

Two congressional incumbents in Indiana—Republican Rep. Jim Baird and Democratic Rep. Andre Carson—face serious primary challenges. In Ohio, Republicans choose from a crowded field to challenge vulnerable Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur.

Five months ago, Republicans in Indiana's GOP-dominated state Senate rejected congressional redistricting despite heavy pressure from Trump and his allies. The plan would have added two more Republican-leaning U.S. House seats in solidly red Indiana.

Now eight of those state senators face GOP primary challengers. Trump endorsed opponents to seven of the eight lawmakers who opposed the bill.

Trump's allies spent more than $6 million to unseat them, according to national ad tracker AdImpact. Groups involved include Turning Point USA's political arm, Club for Growth, Hoosier Leadership for America, and American Leadership PAC, aligned with GOP Sen. Jim Banks, a top Trump ally. Groups tied to Republican Gov. Mike Braun also joined the effort.

The fight pits MAGA forces against traditional conservatives for the party's direction.

"We’ve got to change those old-style Republicans, put in people who will fight, fight against the Democrat gerrymandering," Club for Growth President David McIntosh told Fox News Digital. The former Indiana congressman added, "I want to see my state do the right thing."

The incumbents outraised challengers and received support from the Indiana Senate GOP caucus.

One race pits Trump against former Vice President Mike Pence. Trump backs challenger Tracey Powell against state Sen. Jim Buck, who has Pence's support. Pence served as Indiana governor and congressman.

A pro-Trump source called winning half the seats a victory, with more a major win.

In Indiana's 4th Congressional District, Trump-backed Baird faces state Rep. Craig Haggard. In the 7th, Carson confronts three challengers, including Georgie Hornedo, a veteran of former President Barack Obama's administration.

In Ohio, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump surrogate after his 2024 presidential run, is set to win the Republican nomination for governor.

Ramaswamy will face Dr. Amy Acton in November. Acton, unopposed in the Democratic primary, directed the Ohio Department of Health from 2019 to 2020. The winner replaces term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine.

In the Senate primary, appointed Republican Sen. Jon Husted runs unopposed. Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown expects an easy party nomination.

The winner fills the final two years of Vice President JD Vance's Senate term. Vance left after the Trump-Vance ticket won the 2024 presidential election.

Ohio, once a battleground, shifted right over the past decade. Trump won by 11 points in 2024. This year's Senate and governor races remain competitive, with the Senate contest among those that could decide GOP control.

In Ohio's 9th Congressional District, 79-year-old Rep. Marcy Kaptur seeks a 23rd term. The longest-serving woman in House history, she barely won re-election in 2024 in a district now redder due to Republican-led mid-decade redistricting.

The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate Republicans with a slight edge.

GOP contenders include former state Rep. Derek Merrin, who lost to Kaptur by a narrow margin two years ago; former state Rep. Josh Williams; Air Force veteran Alea Nadeem; and former ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan.

Republicans pick a nominee in the Cincinnati-based 1st District against Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman. Democrats choose a challenger to Republican Rep. Mike Carey in the 15th District south and west of Columbus.