Indiana primaries 2024: Spartz survives, big spenders prevail

538 tracked several establishment-versus-insurgent GOP primaries.

Last Updated: May 7, 2024, 5:01 PM EDT

Tuesday saw the resolution of several major Republican primaries in Indiana: Voters selected the men who will likely become the state’s next U.S. senator and governor, and three open U.S. House seats were the canvas for fierce primary battles between the establishment and populist wings of the GOP. A maverick Republican incumbent also successfully defended her seat after waffling over her decision to seek reelection.

538 reporters and contributors broke down the election results as they came in with live updates, analysis and commentary. Read our full live blog below.

Monica Potts Image
May 07, 2024, 9:38 PM EDT

Checking in on anti-abortion candidates

Shreve’s projected win in the 6th Congressional District is another win for anti-abortion candidates. Shreve’s website describes him as a pro-life Catholic who would work to protect the unborn. That said, he sang a different tune when he ran for Indianapolis mayor last year, saying that mayors aren’t charged with making abortion policy. Of course, Indianapolis is much more Democratic than the rest of this solid red state, and Shreve will have a chance to weigh in on national abortion policy if he is sent to Congress in November. His win means that Republicans could be sending at least five anti-abortion representatives to the House next year, in addition to Banks, their likely new senator.

—Monica Potts, 538

Irena Li Image
May 07, 2024, 9:32 PM EDT

Answer: Bloody 2nds all over

Daily Kos Elections quote-tweeted their own tweet with the 10 districts with the lowest cumulative electoral margins between 2012 and 2020. Another 2nd District, this one in Nebraska, tops the list with a total of 12.7 points! Republican Rep. Don Bacon is up for reelection there in what looks to be a competitive race this November.

—Irena Li, 538

Meredith Conroy Image
May 07, 2024, 9:25 PM EDT

Answer: Dang it, Jacob, you took mine!

I’ve never visited Virginia, but I know about the 2nd District! I agree with Jacob here.

—Meredith Conroy, 538 contributor

Nathaniel Rakich Image
May 07, 2024, 9:23 PM EDT

Stutzman gains in Indiana’s 3rd

There's just one more primary that we're still watching tonight, but it's a barnburner. We're up to 92 percent of the expected vote counted in the Republican primary for Indiana's 3rd District, and Stutzman is up to 24 percent of the vote, with Smith at 22 percent, Davis at 19 percent and Zay at 17 percent. Smith now trails Stutzman by 1,236 votes.

According to the AP, there are still several thousand votes left to be counted in Allen County, where Smith is currently leading. But can he net 1,236 votes there? I don't know …

—Nathaniel Rakich, 538