By Tom Davies
Indiana Capital Chronicle
President Donald Trump made a new round of endorsements seeking to oust Republican state senators who opposed his push for Indiana congressional redistricting.
Social media posts Tuesday night from Trump threw his support behind primary challengers to Sens. Greg Goode of Terre Haute and Spencer Deery of West Lafayette.
Trump’s post endorsing Vigo County Councilwoman Brenda Wilson against Goode erroneously identified her as a county commissioner.
In a separate post, Trump endorsed Paula Copenhaver, a top aide to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and the Fountain County Republican chair, in her challenge to Deery.
Trump has now in recent days endorsed five challengers to incumbent Republican senators after he vowed political revenge against those who defied him on the redistricting bill that failed in December.
Those posts have used nearly identical wording, denouncing the current senators as a “RINO” — for Republican in name only — and “an America Last politician.”
Goode responded to a request for comment about Trump’s post by saying: “I was grateful for Brenda’s advice in October when she said, ‘Greg, don’t vote for redistricting.’”
Deery said in a statement that he has “a proven record of passing meaningful legislation that advances the conservative movement.”
“Ultimately, voters will decide this race, and they will trust the local voices who know me and know what I have delivered for their towns, schools and counties,” Deery said.
Trump’s support for their challengers also puts him at odds with two legislators with close ties to top Indiana Republican figures.
Goode is U.S. Sen. Todd Young’s state director, while Deery was a top aide to former Gov. Mitch Daniels while Daniels was the Purdue University president.
Another of Trump’s Tuesday night posts endorsed former state Rep. Jeff Ellington for the Republican nomination for an open seat created by GOP Sen. Eric Bassler’s decision not seek reelection. Bassler, of Washington, also voted against the redistricting bill.
Trump endorsed Ellington over other Republican candidates Kristi Risk, who is a Beckwith staffer and the Owen County GOP chair, and Vincennes attorney Tanner Bouchie.
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