Trump endorses challengers to Indiana Republicans against redistricting

All four state senators opposed Trump's push to give the GOP an edge in November, despite public pressure from Trump and Gov. Mike Braun, R-Ind. Other Republican groups, such as Turning Point USA, have vowed to unseat them.

Published: February 25, 2026 1:35pm

President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a string of endorsements in Indiana state legislative races, backing primary challengers to the Republican legislators who opposed his push to redraw the state's congressional maps in time for the midterms.

Trump issued a total of four endorsements via Truth Social, backing challengers Blake Fiechter, Tracey Powell, Paula Copenhaver, Brenda Wilson, Michelle Davis, and Jeff Ellington in their bids to unseat state Sens. Travis Holdman, Jim Buck, Spencer Deery, Greg Goode, Greg Walker, and Eric Bassler, respectively.

All four state senators opposed Trump's push to give the GOP an edge in November, despite public pressure from Trump and Gov. Mike Braun, R-Ind. Other Republican groups, such as Turning Point USA, have vowed to unseat them.

Fiechter currently serves as a local city councilman, while Powell is a county commissioner. Wilson is also a county commissioner and Wilson is a local GOP chair. Davis is a sitting state representative seeking to move to the upper chamber. Ellington, meanwhile, is another local GOP county chairman.

Notably, Bassler may not seek reelection. Trump warned that he had lined up a replacement with state leadership named Kristi Risk, whom Trump deemed a "pawn."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.

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