A growing political fight over redistricting continues to divide Indiana lawmakers, even as pressure mounts from Governor Mike Braun and former President Donald Trump to redraw the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 election cycle.
Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder of Bloomington says she’s hearing a consistent message from voters. “Hoosiers made their voices very loud and very clear; they do not want their congressional maps redrawn,” Yoder said. She added that the increasingly sharp rhetoric has raised concerns. “I’m always concerned about my colleagues and their families. It does seem like the rhetoric and the heat has increased. I know that every person in that legislature wants to do right by their constituents.”
Republicans in the Senate and House met Tuesday for Organization Day, the ceremonial start of the new legislative session. Despite calls from Braun to reconvene in early December, lawmakers voted to return in January. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said he wants Republicans to retain control in Washington, but does not believe redistricting is the appropriate path.
“We’re trying to do the best thing for the state of Indiana as well as for the United States of America,” Bray said.
Not all Republicans agree. Senator Mike Young supports revisiting the maps, saying he fears Democrats could regain the U.S. House. “I don’t want to cry on Wednesday morning following that election, knowing we could have done something and we didn’t,” Young said.
Braun has promised to support primary challengers against senators who refuse to call a special session. In the House, members also voted to return on January 5, though Speaker Todd Huston cautioned lawmakers to keep their schedules open. He said he hopes Congress eventually sets uniform rules to prohibit mid-decade redistricting. “Until that happens, Indiana cannot bury its head in the sand,” Huston said.
Republican leaders maintain there is not enough support to open the maps mid-cycle and say the issue will be revisited when the 2026 session begins. Further details about the upcoming session are expected later this week.
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