Two Republicans are challenging state Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, for their party’s nomination before November’s general election.
Dernulc, financial analyst Nader Liddawi, and insurance broker Trevor De Vries will face off for the Republican nomination in the Indiana State Senate’s First District race. Democrat Scott Houldieson is running unopposed and will receive the party’s nomination.
First District voters will choose a Republican candidate in the May 5 primary election.
Dernulc is seeking reelection after being elected state senator in 2022. He was previously a member of the Lake County Council and chairman of the Lake County GOP.
“I love serving in this capacity,” Dernulc said. “I just love serving, and I think I’ve done a pretty darn good job downstate. … I speak for the whole district and not just one group.”
In December, Dernulc voted against a bill to redistrict Indiana, according to Post-Tribune archives, along with 30 other senators. President Donald Trump has endorsed opponents of those running against senators who voted against redistricting and are seeking re-election, including Dernulc.
“I think it will directly affect a lot of the way that people vote,” Dernulc said. “Keep in mind, this is a primary, so it’s a party function. I’m a Republican, and I have to make sure that my Republican folks are engaged and know the facts.”
If reelected, Dernulc wants to advocate for local government at the state level, he said. He also wants to draft anti-grooming legislation that will protect children up to 18 years old, Dernulc said.
“I have three grandkinds,” he added. “I never want them to go through anything like that.”
Dernulc believes his political experience makes him stand out to voters, especially because he understands the workings of the Indiana Senate. If reelected, Dernulc believes this will be his last term.
“I’ll be 67,” he added. “I don’t want to be there forever.”
Liddawi doesn’t have political experience, which he views as an advantage. His role as a financial analyst focuses on “how policies translate into real-world outcomes,” Liddawi said in an email.
“I evaluate economic incentives, cost structures, fiscal returns, infrastructure constraints, and long-term local effects,” Liddawi said in his email. “That allows me to assess whether a policy actually improves affordability and economic opportunity, rather than simply sounding good politically.”
Liddawi believes Northwest Indiana is operating below its economic potential, he said, which made him decide to run for office. The region’s residents are seeing rising utility costs and property taxes, Liddawi said, and cities including Gary, Hammond and Griffith are facing underinvestment and long-standing environmental concerns, including industrial pollution.
“These are not incidental problems,” Liddawi said in his email. “They are the result of policy and planning decisions. I am running because I believe we can realistically address them through disciplined policy and targeted infrastructure investment at the state level.”
Liddawi wants to help lower the cost of living, including through legislation focused on utility bills and property taxes that help with stronger oversight and efficiency improvements. He also wants to help advocate for economic development in the region and attract projects “that create sustained business activity and employment.”
Liddawi also wants to strengthen the region’s connection to Chicago through transportation and “corridor-based development,” which he thinks can expand access to jobs and increase economic participation. If infrastructure improves, economic activity and affordability will follow, he believes.
“My approach is to align economic development, infrastructure investment, environmental accountability, and cost management into a single framework,” Liddawi said. “I do not make commitments that cannot be delivered within economic, legal, or logistical constraints, and I evaluate proposals based on whether they can be implemented in practice.
For Liddawi, an unsuccessful attempt in the Indiana General Assembly to redistrict the state’s congressional districts “underscored the importance” of having state leaders “who are accountable to Hoosier voters.” However, he said it wasn’t the sole reason he decided to run for state senate.
“Redistricting is a legitimate part of ensuring that representation reflects the moderate-conservative people of Indiana, and it should remain on the table as populations and communities evolve,” Liddawi said.
De Vries did not respond to multiple requests for comments about his campaign. He’s received endorsements from Trump, Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Attorney General Todd Rokita.
Trump endorsed De Vries in a Truth Social post, calling incumbent Dernulc “a ‘RINO’ LOSER.”
According to his website, De Vries is a “lifelong conservative, servant leader and dedicated family man.” He was born and raised in Indiana and serves as a Republican precinct committeeman.
De Vries is a self-proclaimed “America First conservative,” and according to his website, he’s dedicated to protecting faith, family and freedom. De Vries is also a “strong pro-life advocate,” according to his website.
“Trevor is committed to putting people first, strengthening families, growing our economy, and advancing conservative, community-focused policies,” his website says.
De Vries’ campaign has six primary initiatives: constitutionalist, parents matter, pro-life, healthy Hoosiers, transparency and “pro 2A.”
His goals include expanding school choices for families, ending abortion on demand, strengthening gun rights, securing elections, providing energy choices that lower costs, cleaning up food supply and putting Hoosiers first.
“This is a movement rooted in faith, united by family, and empowered by freedom,” his website says. “Faith, family, and freedom are the pillars of strong leadership and lasting progress.”
