In a bold move to reshape political representation, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has summoned lawmakers for a special legislative session to tackle the redrawing of the state’s congressional districts.
According to the Federalist, Gov. Braun's initiative, announced on Monday, seeks to address perceived imbalances in congressional representation while also aligning Indiana’s tax code with upcoming federal changes for 2026 filings.
On Monday, Gov. Braun called for this urgent session to focus on redistricting Indiana’s nine congressional seats, currently comprising seven Republican-held and two Democrat-held positions. This decision comes amid a backdrop of national discussions on partisan redistricting practices that have persisted for decades, particularly in states with Democratic majorities. Braun emphasized the need to protect Indiana voters from losing influence in Washington due to such practices elsewhere.
“I am calling a special legislative session to protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair,” Braun stated. He also highlighted a secondary goal for the session, saying, “I am also asking the legislature to conform Indiana’s tax code with new federal tax provisions to ensure stability and certainty for taxpayers and tax preparers for 2026 filings.” The push for redistricting aligns with a broader movement across the country to correct congressional imbalances influenced by partisan map-drawing and other factors.
Indiana’s voter preferences, as seen in the 2024 presidential election, where 59% supported Donald Trump, contrast with states like Massachusetts and Connecticut, where Republican representation is virtually nonexistent despite significant Trump support. In Massachusetts, none of the nine congressional seats are held by Republicans, even though about 40% of voters backed Trump in 2024. Similarly, Connecticut has no Republican-held congressional or Senate seats, despite a comparable 40% support for Trump among voters.
Illinois stands out as a heavily gerrymandered state, with over 43% of voters supporting the Republican presidential candidate in 2024, yet its congressional map overwhelmingly favors Democrats. Across the country, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reportedly attempting to sidestep the state’s redistricting commission to further adjust maps in favor of Democrats. Meanwhile, California’s Proposition 50, set for the November ballot, could allow the state legislature to adopt a new map between 2026 and 2030, potentially countering Republican gains elsewhere.
In Texas, Republicans have announced intentions to implement a new congressional map that could add five seats to their tally, though the Department of Justice has flagged concerns over racial gerrymandering in four districts. Back in Indiana, the White House has reportedly urged the state to proceed with redrawing its maps, adding a layer of national significance to Braun’s initiative. However, not all within Indiana’s political sphere are on board with the redistricting plan, presenting potential hurdles.
Politico’s Adam Wren reported that a spokeswoman for Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray indicated that the necessary votes for redistricting are currently lacking. “The votes still aren’t there for redistricting,” the spokeswoman noted, signaling potential opposition within the state Senate. The Indiana state Senate has a history of prioritizing special interests over Republican voter priorities and often resists policies aligned with Trump’s agenda.
Local reporter Jim Shella interviewed Bray for a podcast alongside former GOP operative Robert Vane, where Bray’s team requested to steer clear of redistricting topics. Despite this, Shella pressed Bray on the issue twice during the discussion, though those segments were edited out of the final podcast release. Shella defended his approach, stating, “Journalistic ethics would not allow [me] to agree to not ask a public official about an issue of public interest.”
State Sen. Liz Brown voiced strong support for the redistricting effort, saying, “We can no longer ignore what is happening nationally.” She continued, “We need to acknowledge the decades of data that is being presented to us, whether it is about flaws with the last census or the fact that states like Massachusetts have eliminated Republican representation for decades.” Brown also warned of potential consequences, noting, “If Indiana doesn’t act like it wants to win, it shouldn’t be surprised when it loses.”
State Rep. Matt Commons echoed these concerns, stating, “It’s not a fight that we asked for, but it’s [a] fight that’s been taking place, and we’ve been — the Republicans — have been losing nationally for over 20 years, and this is a way to rebalance things.” He also highlighted the impact of census counts that include illegal migrants, saying, “You know, they’re going to pack in illegal immigrants into those districts, and they’re going to rob congressional seats and congressional apportionment from not only the United States as a whole and other states, but also from the rural parts of their state.” Commons urged his colleagues, “And you know, I encourage my Senate colleagues that are still on the fence to join the fight, and let’s get this done for not just Indiana Republicans and Hoosiers as a whole, but also national Republicans and Republicans in California and Illinois that have been disenfranchised by their state Democrats for decades.”
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman stressed the importance of redistricting, stating, “It is vitally important that Indiana redraw the house maps because we are at a disadvantage in Washington, D.C., because we are not a sanctuary state.”
He drew a historical parallel, saying, “I kind of compare it to the British military during the Revolutionary War. The British military was the strongest, most powerful military in the world, and they followed their own rules of war.” Stutzman elaborated, “You know, they all stayed in the line. They marched in the line. Well, the Patriots and the colonists, they couldn’t compete with that. And so they had to fight differently. And so I’m telling the Republican leadership, let’s not be the British. We’re going to have to fight to win.”
Stutzman also cautioned against inaction, noting, “If we don’t redistrict in Indiana, we’re going to be in the minority, then we can’t affect the real policy that affects the country.” The debate over redistricting in Indiana reflects a microcosm of national tensions over fair representation and the influence of partisan strategies on congressional maps. As the special session approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, with significant implications for both Indiana’s political landscape and the broader national balance of power.