Indianapolis News and Headlines

Actions

Trump wins IN primary, path clear to nomination

Posted at 6:59 PM, May 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-04 00:03:11-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite an aggressive campaign in the state by Sen. Ted Cruz, Donald Trump came out on top in Indiana.

Trump’s Indiana campaign officially began on April 3, when his Hoosier headquarters launched. He announced his state chair to be one-time Indiana Republican Party chairman Rex Early, who ran for governor back in 1996. 

Trump was the first of the major presidential candidates to host a rally in the Hoosier State, first coming to visit the Indiana State Fairgrounds on April 20.

PHOTOS | The faces of Indianapolis Donald Trump supporters

That rally, like many others for Trump, was interrupted by protesters – one of whom was wearing a Trump mask.

"They don't make protesters very well here," Trump said about the protesters. "I'm kind of disappointed. I say get out and he just walks out."

MORE | Several protesters removed from Donald Trump's Indianapolis rally at State Fairgrounds

Several thousand people filled the pavilion to hear the New York billionaire speak. He kept his topics mostly to things he said Hoosiers cared about: Bringing jobs back to the U.S.; "winning" trade deals with Mexico and China; and levying a tax on companies like Carrier that move jobs out of the country.

MORE ON CARRIER | Fact-checking Donald Trump's Carrier claims | Trump on Carrier: You're going to pay a damn tax

RECAP | GOP Presidential hopeful Donald Trump in Indy for a rally

A few days later, Trump returned to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for another rally, this time joined by Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight.

"There has never been a presidential candidate prepared to the length that this man is," Knight said at the rally. "You will be helping our government take the first step toward what all of us want our government to be like."

PREVIOUS | Bob Knight endorses Donald Trump in Indianapolis

Along with Knight, Trump also picked up two other Indiana sports endorsements, Lou Holtz and Gene Keady.

Keady, who spent 25 years as men's basketball head coach at Purdue University, joined Trump on stage Monday at a rally at The Palladium in Carmel, Indiana.

Keady was the winningest coach in Purdue's history, and the second winningest in Big 10 Conference history – only behind Knight.

ALSO READ | Trump gets 'Big 3' coach endorsements: Keady, Knight and Holtz