What to know as Ohio and Indiana hold primary elections today : NPR
Key Points:
- In Indiana, President Trump and his allies are targeting seven Republican state senators in primaries for opposing a redistricting plan that would have increased GOP seats, signaling a rare move against incumbents and raising concerns about federal interference in state decisions.
- Indiana Republicans Rep. Jim Baird and Democrat Rep. André Carson face notable primary challenges, with Baird backed by Trump and conservative PACs amid criticism over his immigration stance, and Carson encountering calls within his party for new leadership despite his long tenure.
- Ohio's new congressional maps, mandated by law after prior versions were rejected, slightly alter district boundaries, making some Democratic incumbents like Reps. Greg Landsman and Marcy Kaptur more vulnerable, while Republicans see opportunities to flip seats in the midterms.
- Democratic primary turnout in Ohio is currently outpacing Republican participation by about 11%, reflecting sustained enthusiasm that Democrats hope will translate into gains in key races this fall, including the governor's race where Amy Acton runs unopposed.
- These primaries occur amid a recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act's Section 2, potentially impacting majority-minority districts and intensifying redistricting battles nationwide ahead of the 2026 elections.