How the White House tried – and failed – to push a candidate out of a Republican state Senate primary in Indiana

With Trump’s sights set on unseating Indiana lawmakers who opposed his redistricting effort, his aides and allies feared a third candidate could play spoiler in one race.

White House officials and their allies sought to pressure an Indiana Republican to drop out of a state Senate primary earlier this year, floating job opportunities and warning of the personal attacks she could face as they worked to pave the way for President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate.

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Trump is seeking to unseat seven Indiana lawmakers in the May 5 primaries who broke with him last year and opposed a redistricting plan. In one of those races, he has endorsed Brenda Wilson, a Vigo County Council member, against state Sen. Greg Goode, who voted against Trump’s wishes.

But her supporters fear a third candidate, Alexandra Wilson — a 34-year-old network engineer who isn’t related — could confuse voters since they share a last name, thus dividing the opposition to Goode.