Indiana Republican primary voters made dramatic changes up and down the ballot Tuesday, kicking out a wave of establishment-allied incumbents while reinforcing many incumbent conservatives against party-backed challengers from their left.
The media headlines focused on eight Republican state senators who faced primary challengers backed by President Donald Trump for failing to redistrict the state to combat Democrat-run states’ rampant gerrymandering of congressional districts.
Voters don't want Mike Pence's Republican Party.
Be informed, not misled.
For the last several years, former Vice President Mike Pence and other old-line Republicans have been working to undermine Trump, his agenda to "Make America Great Again", and most of what he is attempting to do, as promised during his campaign.
By wide margins, six of the eight Senate challengers have defeated the anti-redistricting incumbents, including members of senior GOP state leadership. One of the remaining incumbents kept his seat, probably thanks in large part to a low-quality challenger, and the other race is too close to call, with a margin of only a few votes, according to NBC, and is probably headed to a recount.
President Donald Trump’s dive into local politics on Tuesday delivered a clear warning to his fellow Republican officeholders: If they get in his way, he can end their careers.
Mike Pence, behind the curtain.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has been ramping up his efforts, now actively trying to build a political infrastructure to influence the future of the Republican Party, positioning himself as a "kingmaker" rather than a candidate to help guide the party back toward what he considers traditional conservative values. Like George W. Bush and others.
His efforts are focused on post-Trump Republican leadership, aiming to steer the party away from populism and back toward what he considers a more traditional conservative movement.
Key Aspects of Pence's Efforts (as of May 2026):
- Advancing American Freedom (AAF): Pence is using his conservative think tank and advocacy group, AAF, as a "battle station" to promote what he calls traditional conservatism.
- Rebuilding Efforts: Pence aims to ensure the GOP focuses on core conservative principles—such as limited government, free-market economics, and strong national defense—over populist movements.
- Targeting "Populism": Pence has openly criticized the party's shift toward isolationism and "populist" movements, framing them as a "minority voice" that differs from traditional Republican principles.
- Key Personnel Shifts: AAF has been recruiting staff from other conservative organizations, including the Heritage Foundation, amidst disagreements over the direction of the conservative movement.
- The big focus is on 2028: While not running for office himself, Pence is planning to use his group to shape the party's direction for the 2028 elections, focusing on "what we're for" before "who we're for".
While Pence has broken with some aspects of the current GOP platform, he has stressed that he is not trying to lead a "Never Trump" movement, but rather to define the Party's next chapter after Trump's presidency.
While he claims his efforts are not defined as "Never Trump" or " Eliminate MAGA," they are.
His 2026 strategy includes significant financial investment, with AAF reporting a 2026 budget exceeding $26 million, targeting policy areas such as increasing military spending, reducing the deficit, and supporting NATO allies, according to CNN.
Takeaway
I think Pence is trying to position himself for his own turn in the White House. This has surfaced in meetings between the Pence people and the Heritage Foundation people.
I'm told that the Heritage Foundation has moved away from Pence and will strongly support the Trump agenda in future elections.
USA Today published this on Tuesday:
In the battle between a President Donald Trump-endorsed challenger and a Mike Pence-endorsed incumbent, Trump has won by a wide margin.
NBC News and Decision Desk HQ have called the Senate District 21 race for Trump-endorsed Tipton County Commissioner Tracey Powell, who bested longtime Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, by nearly 30 percentage points with nearly all votes counted.
Buck is one of seven incumbents Trump has directly challenged over their decision to reject redistricting. Trump's endorsed candidate in four other races have also been declared victorious.
At a watch party in Kokomo, Buck struck a positive tone as he addressed a roomful of supporters and Howard County GOP officials, urging them to stay involved.
“I hope you'll all stay engaged,” he said, as he stood at the podium next to his wife, Judy, who was visibly emotional. “I hope you will study the issues.”
But Buck, an 18-year veteran of the Indiana state Senate who just faced a bruising primary challenge, also expressed disappointment at the unprecedented level of intervention by the president and his allies. As a result, he said, the campaign revolved around retribution and money, not on the kitchen table issues concerning Hoosiers. And years of experience, not just Buck’s but also those of his other ousted colleagues in the Senate, were wiped out.
Buck said he now worries that what happened in Indiana will set a negative and lasting precedent, that future elections ― not just in the state but in the country ― will center on retribution and not on issues that matter to voters.
Big decisions lie ahead regarding the direction our country will take.
Remember:
- Christians must vote.
- Christians must pray
- Daniel 2:21says: "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."
- God is in control.
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Bold. Be Prayerful.