Frustrated Indiana conservatives fell short in several primary races Tuesday in their drive to push the Republican-controlled state Legislature further to the right and saw one of their movement’s leaders lose his reelection bid.
The roughly two dozen so-called liberty candidates did see some victories in Republican legislative races across the state, with one defeating a 10-term incumbent in northern Indiana and another winning the nomination for a GOP-leaning open seat in suburban Indianapolis.
Several races remained uncalled Tuesday night, but most of the incumbent lawmakers overcame challenges from candidates who argued that the Legislature hasn’t been aggressive enough in attempting to ban abortion, enhancing gun rights and overturning COVID-19 restrictions that were ordered by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Republican legislative leaders argued the “no compromise” stances adopted by many challengers aren’t practical. They tout the state’s low taxes and unemployment and broad private school voucher program among its conservative successes.
Unlike in other GOP races across the country — including Ohio, which also had a statewide primary Tuesday— the Indiana legislative contests focused on state issues, rather than which candidate is closest to former President Donald Trump or has his support.
The challengers said they were trying to tap into a deep resentment among voters — and even winning a few seats could nudge the Legislature further to the right.
It was unclear whether the leak of a draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn a 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide had any impact in the primary. Indiana lawmakers didn’tpursue major anti-abortion action during this year’s session as they waited for a decision from the Supreme Court.
If the court overturns Roe v Wade, those lawmakers could ask Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to call the Legislature into a special session so they can act without having to wait until 2023.
“The vast majority of House Republicans, including myself, have been abundantly clear that we want to take action to further protect life should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn, in full or in part, Roe,” Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said in a statement Tuesday. “We will continue to await the court’s final decision.”
This story has been updated.