Indiana Republicans defy Trump to reject new voting map

December 12, 2025

Indiana's Republican-controlled Senate voted 31-19 to reject a redistricting plan that President Trump had aggressively promoted to help the GOP gain congressional seats in the 2026 midterm elections. Twenty-one Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats to defeat the measure, which had already passed the state House and would have potentially eliminated Indiana's two Democratic congressional seats. Despite intensive White House lobbying efforts, including personal meetings with Trump and multiple visits from Vice President Vance, Republican senators cited conservative principles against federal overreach as their reason for opposition.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump and his administration
21 Indiana Republican state senators who voted against the plan
Indiana Governor Mike Braun
Republican state Senator Rodric Bray (Senate leader)
Indiana's two Democratic House representatives, including André Carson (the state's only Black House representative)
Indianapolis residents who would have been redistricted
Nearly a dozen Indiana Republican lawmakers who received death threats and swatting attacks
Vice President JD Vance
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon
Republican and Democratic parties nationally

What action is being taken

Indiana Republicans are voting down the redistricting plan
Governor Mike Braun is working with President Trump to challenge lawmakers who opposed the plan
Trump is promoting redistricting efforts nationwide
Texas Republicans are proceeding with their redistricting maps following Supreme Court approval
California is implementing new maps favorable to Democrats
Multiple states (Utah, Ohio, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Illinois) have initiated or passed redistricting efforts

Why it matters

This matters because it represents a rare rebuke of President Trump by Republican legislators in one of the nation's most conservative states, demonstrating limits to his influence even within his own party. The defeat undermines Trump's broader strategy to secure Republican control of the House through redistricting across multiple states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The outcome has intensified Republican concerns about maintaining their congressional majority, with strategists warning that without significant redistricting gains, holding the House will be extremely difficult. Additionally, the vote preserves representation for Democratic constituencies in Indiana, including communities represented by the state's only Black House member.

What's next

Governor Mike Braun stated he will be working with President Trump to challenge the lawmakers who voted against the redistricting plan. Trump may continue pressuring other states to pursue redistricting efforts to achieve the "net 10 pickup" that Steve Bannon identified as necessary for Republicans to maintain House control.

Read full article from source: BBC