Indiana Supreme Court declares incumbent Spencer Deery winner of primary

The short version

• The Indiana Supreme Court certified Republican state Sen. Spencer Deery as the primary winner over Paula Copenhaver by three votes.[NBC News]
• The decision set aside an earlier determination by the state recount commission that had excluded 10 ballots.[NBC News]
• Deery previously joined other state senators to block a 2025 congressional redistricting proposal supported by Donald Trump.[The Washington Post]

Key facts

• The Indiana Supreme Court declared State Sen. Spencer Deery the winner of the primary by three votes, finishing with 6,335 votes to Paula Copenhaver's 6,332.[NBC News]
• Donald Trump endorsed Copenhaver, who serves as an aide to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and chair of the Fountain County Republican Party.[NBC News]
• Deery previously belonged to a group of Republican senators who stopped a 2025 effort backed by Trump to redraw Indiana's congressional map.[The Washington Post]
• The state Supreme Court reversed an Indiana Recount Commission ruling that had discarded 10 ballots over technicalities and placed Copenhaver ahead.[NBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• GOP state senator who defied Trump named winner, four months after close electionThe Washington Post - Politics metered
• Indiana Supreme Court rules for state senator over Trump-backed candidate in GOP primary recountNBC News - Top Stories