by Brett Phelps
A Battle for Power: Redistricting in Indiana
Every 10 years, states redraw their congressional districts after a census. The fundamental goal is to ensure each district has roughly the same number of people, so that everyone is fairly represented in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Members of the public chant outside the Senate Chamber while HB 1032 is read Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, during the Senate Elections Committee meeting at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. If passed, the bill would allow Republicans to redraw the state congressional map between census years to give them an advantage ahead of the 2026 elections.
In 2025, United States President Donald Trump and his administration began a push for states — including Indiana — to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade to give Republicans a partisan advantage ahead of midterm elections. In Indiana, the congressional districts, drawn by the GOP in 2021, favor Republicans 7-2. The goal of the Trump administration was to redraw the state’s map to give Republicans a 9-0 advantage over Democrats.
Vice President JD Vance met privately with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and leaders of the Indiana House and Senate in August and October. On Nov. 3, Indiana Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston announced that Republicans would meet for two weeks in December to consider redistricting.
On Dec. 1, lawmakers began the two week sprint to introduce, hear, take testimony and vote on House Bill 1032. They also released a proposed map to the public.
Throughout the 10-day redistricting debate, the public came in droves to voice their feelings for and against redrawing Indiana’s congressional map. There were moments of fear and celebration. Tears were shed during passionate arguments.
While the bill passed the Indiana House, it couldn’t survive the Senate, which voted 31-19 against the bill Dec. 11, ultimately rejecting the pressure from Gov. Mike Braun and President Donald Trump.
“I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump,” Gov. Mike Braun said in reaction to the vote.
“Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences. I will be working with the president to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of Jan. 8, 2026, President Trump's efforts were successful in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah, where maps were redrawn to the GOP's benefit and have been implemented. The California legislature redrew its map in response to favor Democrats. Indiana was the only Republican majority state in session to vote no on mid-decade redistricting.
Vice President JD Vance met privately with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and leaders of the Indiana House and Senate in August and October. On Nov. 3, Indiana Senate President Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston announced that Republicans would meet for two weeks in December to consider redistricting.
On Dec. 1, lawmakers began the two week sprint to introduce, hear, take testimony and vote on House Bill 1032. They also released a proposed map to the public.
Throughout the 10-day redistricting debate, the public came in droves to voice their feelings for and against redrawing Indiana’s congressional map. There were moments of fear and celebration. Tears were shed during passionate arguments.
While the bill passed the Indiana House, it couldn’t survive the Senate, which voted 31-19 against the bill Dec. 11, ultimately rejecting the pressure from Gov. Mike Braun and President Donald Trump.
“I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump,” Gov. Mike Braun said in reaction to the vote.
“Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences. I will be working with the president to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of Jan. 8, 2026, President Trump's efforts were successful in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah, where maps were redrawn to the GOP's benefit and have been implemented. The California legislature redrew its map in response to favor Democrats. Indiana was the only Republican majority state in session to vote no on mid-decade redistricting.
Jane Alexander, of Indianapolis, reacts while Indiana State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-District 52) introduces his bill, House Bill 1032, during the House Elections and Apportionment Committee meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in the House chamber at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. “Just because other states take certain steps doesn’t mean we should,” Alexander said when testifying at the committee meeting. “I just want to remind legislators that history will judge all of us on the decisions we make.”
Indiana State Sen. Greg Taylor (D-District 33) points to the proposed redrawn map of the congressional districts as the Senate gathers to vote on mid-decade redistricting Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. During Taylor’s testimony, he discussed how needs vary from community to community. “Don’t leave it to this map that could leave your community out. I ask that we defeat this measure and move on with the business of the state of Indiana,” Taylor said.
Alex Hardy reacts with a gun symbol while Nathan Roberts gives testimony mentioning the Charlie Kirk killing and the killing of a Minnesota state representative during the House Elections and Apportionment Committee meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in the House chamber of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Hardy, a Democrat, is running for election to represent Indiana’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Indiana State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-District 86) acts out President Donald Trump putting on a crown during a rally on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. When making the gesture, DeLaney was referring to Trump’s trip to England, which was underway. At the rally, public officials spoke out against recent efforts to redraw Indiana's congressional districts between census years.
Josh Young of Indianapolis joins attendees of Turning Point Action’s rally, chanting in support of redistricting efforts on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. “We are in a culture war,” Young said. Young, a college student, missed a class to attend the rally. He told his teacher, “I’m going to the Statehouse to fight for our country.”
Indiana State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-District 30) comforts a tearful Indiana State Sen. Greg Walker (R-District 41) after the Senate Elections Committee meeting ended Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. During the meeting, Walker gave a passionate speech opposing redistricting efforts, where he began to cry when talking about a Swatting attack that took place at his house. “I refuse to be intimidated. I made a choice. I will not let Indiana or any state come subject to the threat of political violence in order to influence legislative product,” Walker said during the Election Committee meeting. “I, in good conscience, can not support this bill going forward.” Walker, who has served in the Senate since 2006, was not going to run for re-election at the end of his term, but now feels he needs to run again to maintain order in the state.
Gerrie Bonarrigo wears a pig nose in reference to President Donald Trump calling a journalist “piggy,” as she protests the redistricting bill while the Senate gathers to vote on mid-decade congressional redistricting Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Bonarrigo brought multiple pig noses for demonstrators to wear.
Indiana State Sen. Eric Koch (R-District 44) looks at a note passed by Indiana State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-District 12) as the Senate gathers to vote on mid-decade congressional redistricting Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. HB 1032 needed 26 votes in the Senate to pass. Koch voted to pass the bill while Doriot voted in opposition.
Indiana State Senators’ vote over House Bill 1032, mid-decade congressional redistricting, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Senators voted 31-19 against House Bill 1032, which would have redrawn the state’s congressional districts. The vote follows months of mounting pressure by President Donald Trump on Republicans in Indiana and other states to create more districts that would favor Republicans. The bill's failure likely ends the redistricting push here, as candidates face a Feb. 6 deadline to file for the 2026 election.
Indiana State Sen. Michael Young (R-District 35) makes his way through the Senate floor after House Bill 1032 failed Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Young, a co-sponsor of the bill, worked diligently behind the scenes to garner support from other senators. “We’ve cost our nation. I don’t know how much, but we’ve cost our nation,” Young said when addressing his senator colleagues. “When they [the Trump administration] take away all of the money that they can take away from this state and not give it to us, our citizens will be harmed.”
Indiana State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-District 30) shows a peace sign to audience members in the gallery after House Bill 1032 failed Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. “There comes a time in the life of a public servant, even at the expense of losing a seat, that you have to place country and to place state and your fellow citizens above any politics. To me, this is the moment,” Qaddoura said during a Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8.