Carlin Yoder is considering a primary challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young. (Courtesy photo)
Former state senator and President Donald Trump’s state director Carlin Yoder is considering a primary challenge to fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young.
Young’s term isn’t up until 2028 but Yoder is exploring his options.
“As you know, in this day and age and culture of politics, starting early is better than starting late. So if you’re going to take on an incumbent, you have to lay the groundwork, and you have to work really hard to get your name out and show the differences,” said Yoder. “So, while it’s a little early to declare a candidacy, it’s not too early to start laying the groundwork to do that. So that’s what I’m doing.”
He spoke this weekend to a group called Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate, a grassroots group looking to oust Young.
Yoder served in the state Senate from 2008-2016, representing northern Indiana. But now he lives in Fortville and has his own lobbying firm, Cardinal Consulting.
Young has been criticized for previously refusing to endorse Donald Trump for president; supporting several large spending bills, voting for the Respect for Marriage Act and working with Democrats to pass the CHIPS Act.
He won reelection in 2022 by more than 20 percentage points, and didn’t have a primary that year. He has about $4.4 million on hand in his campaign coffers.
Young has supported all of Trump’s cabinet nominees, But Yoder said he had to be pressured into that support.
“I have a very strong conservative voting record. (Young’s) voting record has gotten very spotty over the last four to six years as a U.S. senator,” Yoder said. “I would be a reliable vote for the MAGA community and for the America First community. And you know, we’re always sweating it out with Todd Young. We just never can rely on him to be a solid vote for the agenda that the President is pushing forward.”
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Niki Kelly