Beckwith on new, redistricting-driven Deery-Copenhaver primary: ‘I’m on a mission now’
Lieutenant governor says he wouldn’t call it retribution, but vows that redistricting ‘slap in the face’ puts a target and promises of national attention on Senate District 23 race
Support for this edition comes from Purdue Musical Organizations, presenting the 92nd annual Purdue Christmas Show. The Christmas Show will shine Boilermaker bright with an all-student cast, festive music and dazzling performances. Tickets are now on sale for the Dec. 6-7 shows, where audiences of all ages will come together to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season at this timeless Purdue tradition. Get your tickets here.
BECKWITH ON NEW, REDISTRICTING-DRIVEN DEERY-COPENHAVER PRIMARY: ‘I’M ON A MISSION NOW’
On Monday, state Sen. Spencer Deery announced his run for re-election in Senate District 23.
On Tuesday, Republican Paula Copenhaver, former Fountain County clerk, announced she’d run, too, forcing a May 2026 primary, driven in large part by Deery’s stance against a redistricting plan President Donald Trump has been pushing for in Indiana to potentially pick up two more seats for Republicans in Congress.
Here’s some of the reaction – including promises that the state race will bring national attention and money – that flowed into Tuesday evening.
Copenhaver’s announcement pivoted on the redistricting issue: “District 23 deserves a senator who is unapologetically willing to take on the radical Democrats’ socialist agenda. I’ll be a fighter for Hoosiers and a defender of the Indiana and America First Agenda. … Our state senator should put people first, defend an Indiana and America First agenda, and stand up to the influence of the political insiders who bankroll Statehouse politics.”
She didn’t immediately answer follow-ups to prepared statements about whether she expected a Trump endorsement and just how much of the president’s push to find challengers for senators who didn’t get on board with redistricting factor into her decision to announce now.
For Trump’s part, the president continued to steam about the Indiana Senate’s refusal to take up his plan, vowing in a Tuesday social media post to make balking senators pay: “I am working with Governor Mike Braun and other Indiana Republicans, on picking up two Republican Congressional seats. The Governor, a good man, must produce on this, or he will be the only Governor, Republican or Democrat, who didn’t. I won Indiana in a landslide, the most votes ever gotten in the State - Such an HONOR! A RINO State Senator, Rodric Bray, who doesn’t care about keeping the Majority in the House in D.C., is the primary problem. Soon, he will have a Primary Problem, as will any other politician who supports him in this stupidity. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT.”
Gov. Mike Braun was stewing, too, posting Tuesday afternoon – after the Indiana Senate voted to reconvene in January, rather than in December for the special session he called – that he wasn’t done cajoling the Indiana Senate, yet: “Momentum is building and it’s time now for our state senators to commit to showing up for work. Unfortunately, Sen. Rod Bray was forced to partner with Democrats to block an effort by the growing number of America First Senators who wanted to have a vote on passing fair maps. Now I am left with no choice other than to explore all options at my disposal to compel the State Senate to show up and vote. I will support President Trump’s efforts to recruit, endorse, and finance primary challengers for Indiana’s senators who refuse to support fair maps.”
Indiana Capital Chronicle reporters Tom Davies and Casey Smith had this from Tuesday’s Organization Day at the Statehouse: “Redistricting rift growing among Indiana Republicans.”
Meanwhile, Deery wasn’t changing his tune as a primary with added attention loomed in a district that covers the western half of Tippecanoe County, along with all or parts of Vermillion, Parke, Fountain, Warren and Montgomery counties.
After Copenhaver’s announcement Tuesday morning, Deery told BiL:
“Elections are about choices, and voters now have a clear one between two very different approaches to public service.
“My focus has always been on delivering disciplined, responsible, conservative leadership for our community — the kind that strengthens our schools, grows our economy, keeps government accountable, and reflects the values of the people I serve.
“Others in this race will represent a different style of politics — one driven by outside influencers who specialize in division, disruption and chaos. My opponent has been recruited and employed by the same political figures who attack fellow Republicans, undermine our institutions, and put personal agendas ahead of the people we serve. That’s not leadership, and it’s not what Hoosiers want.
“I have never wavered in my belief that public office is a trust — not a stage for self-promotion or ideological crusades. I will continue to focus on real results: improving education, strengthening families, supporting law enforcement, protecting taxpayers, defending our freedoms, and standing up for constitutional principles even when it’s unpopular.
“I look forward to continuing to earn the trust of the people of this district through hard work, honesty, and a commitment to putting Hoosiers first — not political bosses or fringe agendas.”
At the Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith was hosting a pro-redistricting rally while wearing a Trump-Red cap that said “Indiana 9-0” – a reference to the GOP setting up the maps to win all nine of Indiana’s congressional seats.
Beckwith was among those who recruited Copenhaver, now Fountain County Republican Party chair, for a primary run against Deery.
Later, in an interview with BiL, Beckwith said Tuesday he hadn’t planned to get involved in Indiana Senate primaries in 2026, outside the one Tippecanoe County’s Richard Bagsby is running against Sen. Ron Alting, a Lafayette Republican, in Senate District 22. He said he’d promised Bagsby, a friend of his, a long time ago that he’d help.
“But after what the Senate did to the governor on Friday, I mean, it was a huge slap in the face,” Beckwith said about the Senate declining to meet in special session, as Gov. Mike Braun had called for, to consider redrawing congressional district maps before the 2026 midterm elections.
“I’m on a mission now,” Beckwith said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. “I’m going after senators. I’m going to help anyone who wants to primary these weak senators. (Turning Point) USA is on board. I’ve been talking with them. The White House is on board. We’ve got influencers like Scott Pressler coming over to Indiana that are going to drive massive turnout for these primaries. I wasn’t going to do it. I was trying to play nice. The governor and I have been very, very kind. We’ve been extending olive branches. But over the last year, those olive branches just keep getting slapped back at us. Enough.”
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Based in Lafayette, Indiana to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.