Indiana Senate GOP leader says there’s still not enough support for redistricting

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Indiana Statehouse (IL file photo)

Officials within the Indiana Senate’s Republican caucus signaled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s efforts to redraw state district maps are not yet across the finish line.

“The votes aren’t there for redistricting,” Molly Swigart, spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, told the IBJ on Wednesday.

That evaluation from Bray’s office comes as the White House has stepped up its pressure campaign on Indiana lawmakers, particularly Republican senators, in the last few weeks. 

Vice President JD Vance twice visited Indianapolis to speak with state lawmakers about redistricting: once in August and again earlier this month.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that Trump held a call urging Indiana GOP senators to redraw the state’s district maps.

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Bray participated in last week’s call with the White House and called conversations with the vice president on his most recent visit “fruitful” and productive.”

“Obviously, the conversation was about redistricting,” Bray told reporters. “We talked a lot about that—pros and cons—and so, no decisions were made. But we’re going to work on that and hopefully have a decision very soon.”

Swigart did not immediately respond when asked by the IBJ where Bray stands on redistricting. 

Indiana’s Congressional delegation is currently 7-2 in favor of Republicans, with Democrats only representing the districts comprising Indianapolis and northwest Indiana.

Multiple polls released in the last few weeks suggest a majority of Hoosiers are not in favor of redistricting.

While some in opposition to redistricting were quick to celebrate on Wednesday, House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, cautioned that these discussions may be far from over.

“House Democrats have received massive amounts of calls against redistricting, and I’m sure the Senate Republicans have, too,” he said in a written statement. I’ll continue to monitor the possibility of redistricting until we end the 2026 legislative session in March.”

The national fight over mid-cycle redistricting was sparked by lawmakers in Texas redrawing their state’s maps to please the Trump administration. Missouri recently followed suit, while California will soon vote on new maps to benefit Democrats in the state.

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