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Carlin Yoder, a former state senator and President Donald Trump’s state director, 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.”
Yoder spoke over the 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 by conservatives 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.
Cam Savage, a key adviser for Young’s campaign apparatus, pushed back on that criticism, saying “Todd Young is one of the most effective conservative leaders in the country and no one has done more to deliver wins for Hoosiers, support our troops and veterans, or fight back against the Chinese Communist Party. He will win again because no one works harder for Hoosiers and already has $5 million on hand for his campaign to beat back any challengers.”
Young won reelection in 2022 by more than 20 percentage points and didn’t have a primary opponent that year.
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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It seems Yoder is anxious to become part of the problem with his strictly partisan view of things, instead of applying logic and voting for what is best for the country. Young should be applauded for his attempts at bi-partisanship.
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Yeah, I wasn’t too sure about Young initially, since he had to veer right to get through his primary. But he is a suitable political heir to Sen. Lugar: thoughtful, willing to work across the aisle when it makes sense, and not a puppet. He’s a Naval Academy graduate and Marine…so probably much more qualified on Defense issues than the current Cabinet member.
And, of course, that’s what makes him unpalatable to the MAGA bunch.
+4 Yoder, part of the problem not part of the solution. Trump and Musk are likely going to throw BIG $$$$ behind Yoder.
Great timing by Yoder to remind people why there were questions about the suitability of some of Trump’s picks …
I recall when Hillary’s email server was supposedly disqualifying…
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Totally agree, if he runs again, he’ll be getting my vote over whatever MAGA is bringing. Tired of this puriest, partisan non-sense. It’s funny how getting things done is considered a problem to these guys.
Yoder is exactly what’s wrong with America, so I suspect MAGA Hoosiers will vote him into office.
Why would conservative Republicans want to elect a lobbyist to the U.S. Senate? What other private sector experience does he have? Let me guess: none. This is absurd.
Like Todd Young’s resume is dripping with non-government connected private sector experience. Since Todd loves making silicon chips in the US, he should resign from the Senate today and start his own chip manufacturing business.
They aren’t looking to elect a lobbyist…they look to elect a parrot. Something that just repeats what his owner says. And this owner will be the MAGAts. Trump will be gone after 2028, but folks like Yo’sir here will try to perpetuate this rolling calamity of Trumpism.
But more to the point, I wonder if this gentleman has cleared his candidacy with Micah Beckwith? I can’t imagine Beckwith doesn’t have his eye on the Senate. He could run for Senate instead of running against Braun…