The entirety of Indiana’s Republican congressional delegation has backed a mid-decade redistricting push from the White House despite many state Republican lawmakers disapproving of the plan.
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Indiana earlier this month to push Gov. Mike Braun (R-IN), Republican House Speaker Todd Huston, and Republican Senate President Rod Bray to redraw the state’s congressional districts to favor Republicans more heavily. All members of Indiana’s GOP congressional delegation pledged their support for the proposal Monday.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) was the first federal Republican lawmaker from Indiana to back the plan.
Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN) said on social media, “Indiana can act to guarantee that all Hoosiers have the strongest possible conservative voices in Washington. I’m standing with President Trump — it’s time to redraw Indiana’s congressional map.”
Indiana state lawmakers, however, have shown little interest in redistricting. State GOP leaders have not clarified their stances, but rank-and-file Republican lawmakers have come out against the proposal.
“I have had a lot of people ask me my thoughts on Indiana redistricting,” state Rep. Jim Lucas posted on Facebook. “So here are my thoughts; I am a hard (insert favorite Marine Corps word here) NO!”
Lucas is among several state Republicans who have opposed the idea of calling a special session to redistrict in the middle of the decade. Indiana Democrats have been united in their opposition to the plan.
Huston met with the Republican caucus in Indianapolis on Monday, telling the Indiana Capital Chronicle there was “good conversation,” but he did not divulge whether a conclusion on the proposal had been met.
Braun remained noncommittal to the plan as of Monday, telling reporters he would not call a special session to redistrict “unless there is going to be general agreement that we need to.”
Indiana Republican legislators are scheduled to visit the White House next week, during which redistricting will surely be a topic.
“Yes, there will be political pressure put on, and it will be cranked up, probably closer you get to the finish line of when they’d like to get it done,” Braun said.
The state has a 7-2 congressional makeup in favor of Republicans. In 2024, 58.6% of voters supported President Donald Trump, while 39.7% supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
REDISTRICTING WARS THREATEN TO MAKE CONGRESS MORE PARTISAN
Indiana does not use a redistricting commission and relies only on the general assembly to draw its congressional map.
Trump first pressured Texas to redraw its map ahead of 2026 to maximize Republican control in the House. The move has set off a nationwide gerrymandering flurry.