Recount Flips Indiana Senate Primary to Trump-Backed Challenger

A recount has put Republican Paula Copenhaver, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, ahead of incumbent state Sen. Spencer Deery in a contested Indiana state Senate primary held in May.

On Monday, the Indiana Recount Commission threw out 10 votes — eight for Deery and two for Copenhaver — the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported. That gave Copenhaver a three-vote edge. Deery had previously clung to a three-vote lead of his own, which Copenhaver challenged.

Deery was one of seven Republican members of the state Senate who drew primary challengers this spring after voting down a redrawn congressional map that Trump pushed last year. Five of them lost.

Deery said on X that he would appeal the decision, calling it an "attempt to undermine the will of voters by treating ballots differently based on whether they furthered the president's political goals."

In a text message to NBC News, Deery said the commission's ruling set a bad precedent for future election challenges.

"What was most remarkable about today's hearing was that voter intent was never in question. None of the ballots challenged were discarded because there was uncertainty about whom the voter intended to support. The disputes instead centered on technicalities resulting from errors by government officials," he said. "We are confident Indiana's appellate courts will restore the vote totals that have been counted and recounted and reaffirm the choice voters made in Senate District 23."

Copenhaver, an aide to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If her victory survives appeal, Copenhaver would be favored in the general election in the heavily Republican 23rd State Senate District. West Lafayette City Council member David Sanders, a Democrat, and independent Joshua Brant are also running.

The new state Senate could reconsider redistricting ahead of the 2028 election. Senate President Rod Bray, who also opposed the Trump-backed map, said last month that he would not seek another term as Republican leader.

Trump celebrated that announcement on Truth Social, writing: "I want to thank the Great State of Indiana for your support, not only in my Presidential Election, which we won with the Highest Vote in the History of the State, but also for your support in getting rid of wayward Senators, led down the Path of Destruction by a FOOL named Rodric Bray."