On Feb. 16, 2026, Ballotpedia announced that two Indiana Republican senators are adjusting their reelection plans as TPAction launches ground efforts in Senate District 6, where incumbent Rick Niemeyer faces a primary challenge from TPA-backed candidate Jay Starkey.
Ballotpedia announced that two Indiana Republican senators are adjusting their reelection plans as TPAction launches ground efforts in Senate District 6, where incumbent Rick Niemeyer faces a primary challenge from TPA-backed candidate Jay Starkey.
Ballotpedia reported that redistricting in Indiana ahead of the 2026 elections did not change state legislative district maps. A special session in late 2025 addressed congressional boundaries, with the House passing a proposal on December 5 to reshape Democratic districts and potentially create a nine-member Republican delegation. The Senate rejected the plan on December 11 by a 31-19 vote, including 21 Republicans such as Senators Rick Niemeyer and Dan Dernulc.
An update shared on X by Brett Galaszewski explained why Senators Dan Dernulc and Rick Niemeyer have not filed for reelection. Both opposed the December 2025 9-0 congressional redistricting plan. In Senate District 6, incumbent Rick Niemeyer faces a primary challenge from Jay Starkey, a TPA-backed candidate and carpenter representing areas including Lowell and Lake County in northwest Indiana.
Newsweek reported that the Indiana Senate vote against the congressional redistricting plan included 21 Republicans who opposed the measure promoted by President Trump. The plan sought to redraw districts to secure all nine congressional seats for Republicans in the midterm elections. Indiana became the first Republican-led legislature to reject such a request, highlighting divisions among party members during a non-census redistricting effort.
Jay Starkey is running as a candidate for Indiana State Senate District 6. His campaign emphasizes conservative principles including support for family values, life protections, lower taxes, border security, parental rights in education, and constitutional freedoms. Starkey’s campaign materials highlight his focus on representing grassroots conservatives and Hoosier families in the district.
