A recount in a contested Indiana state Senate primary has shifted the lead to Republican Paula Copenhaver, supported by former President Donald Trump, who overtakes the incumbent Spencer Deery. Deery was one of seven GOP Indiana state senators challenged in the primaries this spring after voting against a congressional map redrawn by Trump last year. Of these challenges, five senators lost their seats, while Deery maintained a narrow three-vote advantage, which Copenhaver contested.
On Monday, the Indiana Recount Commission discarded ten votes — eight for Deery and two for Copenhaver — due to minor errors, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle. This adjustment gives Copenhaver a lead by three votes. Deery announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he intends to appeal the ruling, describing it as an attempt to skew voter intention by favoring ballots that aided Trump’s political goals.
“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,” Deery commented in a text to NBC News. “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.”
If Copenhaver’s victory withstands the appeal, she would likely succeed in the general election within the heavily Republican 23rd state Senate district. Other candidates include Democrat David Sanders and independent Joshua Brant. The new state Senate might reevaluate redistricting ahead of the 2028 election. Indiana Senate President Rod Bray, also opposing Trump’s map, announced last month his decision not to pursue another term as the Republican leader.
Trump expressed his satisfaction with the outcome through a post on Truth Social, extending gratitude for the state’s support.
“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,” he wrote.