President Trump on Tuesday threw his support behind primary challengers to three Indiana Republican state senators who opposed GOP-backed redistricting last month, signaling his continued push for party unity ahead of the 2026 elections.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump endorsed Paula Copenhaver—currently a top aide to Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith (R)—in her bid to challenge state Sen. Spencer Deery (R). He also backed Vigo County Council member Brenda Wilson in a primary challenge against state Sen. Greg Goode (R), and endorsed former state Rep. Jeff Ellington (R) for the seat currently held by state Sen. Eric Bassler (R).
Bassler had already announced last summer that he will not seek reelection.
Deery, Goode, and Bassler were among 21 Republican senators who voted in December against a proposal to redraw Indiana’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 election cycle. That decision frustrated national Republicans, including Trump and his allies, who believe redistricting could help Republicans gain two additional U.S. House seats from Indiana.
Trump did not mince words in his criticism, particularly of Goode.
“‘No Goode’ is an incompetent and ineffective RINO incumbent who, for whatever reason, voted against Redistricting in Indiana, which has made him a hero to Hakeem Jeffries, Ilhan Omar, and every other Radical Left Member of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Goode, who also serves as Indiana state director for U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), responded on social media by pointing to advice he said he received from Wilson months earlier.
“I was grateful for her advice in October: ‘Greg, DON’T vote for redistricting!’” Goode wrote in a post on X.
Trump has made clear that opposition to redistricting will carry political consequences. He has pledged to endorse primary challengers against any Republican lawmakers who voted against the effort. On Monday, Trump followed through on that promise by endorsing a challenger to state Sen. Jim Buck (R), who is seeking another term.
The endorsements underscore Trump’s continued influence in Republican primaries and his focus on strengthening the GOP’s electoral position heading into the next election cycle.
