Recount puts Trump-backed challenger in the lead in Indiana state Senate primary

State Sen. Spencer Deery, who now trails Republican Paula Copenhaver by three votes, said he will appeal.

A recount in a contested Indiana state Senate primary in May has put Republican Paula Copenhaver, who was backed by President Donald Trump, ahead of incumbent Spencer Deery.

Deery was one of seven GOP members of the state Senate who faced primary challengers this spring after having voted down a redrawn congressional map that Trump pushed last year. Five lost, while Deery clung to a three-vote lead, which Copenhaver challenged.

On Monday, the Indiana Recount Commission threw out 10 votes — eight for Deery and two for Copenhaver — the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported, giving Copenhaver a three-vote edge.

Deery said on X that he would appeal the decision, calling it an “attempt to undermine the will of voters by treating ballots differently based on whether they furthered the president’s political goals.”

In a text message to NBC News, Deery said the commission’s ruling set a bad precedent for future election challenges.