Last Tuesday was quite a rollercoaster with the Republican primaries in Indiana. Voters made their choices for the next U.S. senator and governor, and there were intense battles in three open U.S. House seats, pitting establishment figures against more populist candidates. One incumbent, facing uncertainty about reelection, managed to secure her seat after some wavering.
Throughout the night, 538 reporters and contributors provided live updates, analysis, and commentary on the election results. Here’s a recap of the major races:
- Senator Mike Braun emerged victorious in the Republican primary for governor, maintaining his status as the favorite despite strong challenges from other candidates. While there were differences among them, the issues didn’t create significant divides.
The tightest race of the night was in the GOP primary for Indiana’s 3rd District. Although ABC News hasn’t called it yet, other outlets, like the AP, have projected former Rep. Marlin Stutzman as the winner. Stutzman, known for his conservative stance, beat out several contenders, including former Judge Wendy Davis and businessman Tim Smith.
- The only incumbent facing real pressure was Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz in the 5th District. However, Spartz managed to fend off state Rep. Chuck Goodrich in her primary. Despite initially indicating she wouldn’t seek reelection, Spartz changed her mind just before the filing deadline, ultimately overcoming Goodrich’s financial advantage.
- In Indiana’s 6th District, wealthy businessman Jefferson Shreve secured the Republican nomination, propelled by significant self-funding and recognition from his recent mayoral campaign. His moderate stance edged out more conservative opponents, setting him up as the frontrunner to replace retiring GOP Rep. Greg Pence.
- State Sen. Mark Messmer clinched a comfortable victory in Indiana’s 8th District, prevailing over a crowded GOP field. The race garnered attention due to a pro-Israel super PAC’s involvement, which heavily backed Messmer over former Rep. John Hostettler, known for his past votes against aid to Israel. Messmer’s win positions him favorably for the general election.
Spartz was considered one of the most vulnerable incumbent House members, yet her primary win adds to the small count of incumbents who’ve faced defeat this primary season. So far, the GOP appears to be lagging behind last cycle in nominating women for competitive or safe seats. While Spartz and another female incumbent, Houchin, held onto their positions, other qualified female candidates didn’t fare as well. These hurdles, especially the lack of unified support, underscore the challenges Republican women face in electoral politics.
