Indiana state senators are expected to take a final, high-stakes vote on redistricting Thursday after months of pressure from President Donald Trump, and the outcome is still uncertain.
Even in the face of direct pressure from the White House and threats against state lawmakers, many Indiana Republicans have been reluctant to back a new congressional map that would favor their party's candidates in the 2026 elections.
Trump is advocating for Republican-led states to engage in mid-decade redistricting, a rare process aimed at reshaping congressional districts to secure more competitive seats for the GOP. As Democrats gain momentum following recent electoral successes, Republican leaders face mounting pressure to respond appropriately.
The proposed Indiana map, crafted by the National Republican Redistricting Trust, aims to secure all nine congressional seats for Republicans, a shift from the current situation where they control seven out of nine.
On the eve of the vote, Trump publicly criticized party members who resist the plan, warning that he would support primary challengers against those who oppose it. Should the proposed map fail, it would serve as a significant rebuke to Trump's influence over state politics.
The new map will notably divide Indianapolis into multiple districts and eliminate the seat of U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, thus reshaping Indiana's political landscape dramatically.
Lawmakers are aware that a minimum of 25 votes is necessary to approve the map, with the potential for a tie decided by Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, who supports redistricting. If the map were to fail, it would represent a considerable setback for Trump and his supporters in Indiana and across the nation.
