7 Indiana legislators face Trump-backed primary challengers after bucking him on redistricting

Key Points:

• Seven Indiana Republican state senators are facing primary challenges backed by President Donald Trump following their rejection of a Trump-supported redistricting plan aimed at increasing GOP congressional seats.
• Approximately $12 million has been spent on advertising in these races, primarily by Trump-allied groups targeting the incumbent senators, marking a rare instance of intense national involvement in local primaries.
• Key contested seats include State Sen. Spencer Deery, with over $3 million spent on ads, and State Sen. Greg Goode, who faces a three-way primary including a Trump-endorsed candidate; Trump allies have actively intervened to influence these races.
• Some incumbents, such as State Sen. Travis Holdman and State Sen. Jim Buck, are contending with Trump-backed challengers despite their long tenures and leadership roles, highlighting intra-party tensions.
• The outcomes of these primaries are viewed as a critical test of Trump's influence within the Indiana GOP amid broader national battles over party control ahead of the midterm elections.