An Indiana Senate committee voted Dec. 8 to advance a Republican-proposed redistricting plan that would redraw the state’s nine U.S. House districts and could give the GOP full control of the delegation in the 2026 midterms.
The Senate Elections Committee approved the bill by a 6-3 vote after more than six hours of debate, the IndyStar reported. One Republican, Sen. Greg Walker, and the two Democrats on the committee opposed the bill, which had passed the Indiana House Dec. 5 on a 57-41 vote, with 12 Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition. The legislation now heads to the full Senate, which is expected to vote Dec. 11.
The proposed map would flip two Democrat-held seats: the 1st District, currently represented by Rep. André Carson, and the 7th District, represented by Rep. André Carson. Republicans currently hold a 7-2 advantage.
Indiana Senate Republican leader Rodric Bray has publicly insisted for weeks that there may not be enough support in the chamber to advance a mid-cycle redraw, FOX News reported. A proxy vote in the Senate deadlocked 19-19 last month.
Announcing that the Senate would reconvene to take on the redistricting plan, Bray said, “the issue of redrawing Indiana’s congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state,” FOX reported.
CBS News reported that roughly a dozen Senate Republicans have received threats in recent weeks over their stance on the map or their refusal to immediately declare support. Walker said during Monday’s debate that he “refuse[s] to be intimidated” and warned “all states” are at risk if threats become routine. Some Republicans who voted to advance the measure said they did so to allow a full floor debate but may oppose final passage, according to the outlet.
President Donald Trump has mounted a monthslong pressure campaign urging Indiana to approve the map.
In a Dec. 5 Truth Social post, Trump congratulated state House Speaker Todd Huston and bill sponsor Rep. Ben Smaltz — both Republicans — for advancing the legislation. He called the proposal a “new, much fairer, and improved, Congressional Map” that would allow Hoosiers “to elect TWO additional Republicans.”
“The Indiana Senate must now pass this Map, AS IS, and get it to Governor Mike Braun's desk, ASAP, to deliver a gigantic Victory for Republicans in the ‘Hoosier State,’ and across the Country,” Trump added.
He then named nine Senate Republicans, including Bray, who have not publicly stated their position on the map, saying they “need encouragement to make the right decision.”
In a Dec. 6 post, he added, “Why would a REAL Republican vote against this when the Dems have been doing it for years??? If they stupidly say no, vote them out of Office - They are not worthy - And I will be there to help! Thank you Indiana!”
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has echoed Trump’s calls, urging lawmakers to quickly approve the proposal. In a November post, Braun said he spoke with Trump on the phone and remains “committed to standing with him on the critical issue of passing fair maps in Indiana.”
If the measure clears the Senate and Braun signs it, it would take effect immediately and reshape next year’s congressional races, though Democrats are expected to mount legal challenges.
Trump has encouraged similar mid-cycle redistricting pushes in several states. Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio have all drawn new maps in recent months, FOX reported. GOP lawmakers in Florida have begun advancing their own proposal, and Kansas Republicans are reportedly weighing changes as well.
On Dec. 4, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas can use its newly redrawn congressional map after a lower court, which froze the map, argued that it discriminated against Hispanic and black Texans, CatholicVote reported. The map could give Texas up to five additional GOP seats.
Democrats are responding with their own redistricting maneuvers. In California, voters last month approved Proposition 50, temporarily returning map-drawing power to the Democratic-controlled legislature in a move that could net Democrats up to five seats. FOX reported that Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia, where Democrats hold legislative majorities, are also considering action on new maps.