Indiana Republicans Unveil Map to Eliminate Both Dem Congressional Seats

Republicans in Indiana’s State House released a draft congressional map that could eliminate two districts that are currently held by Democrats. 

The state GOP published the map Monday in response to months of pressure to gerrymander from President Donald Trump and weeks of escalating threats and harassment. 

The Indiana House could pass the map this week, teeing up a vote in the state Senate when it convenes Dec. 8. 

States typically redraw their congressional districts once every decade after receiving new census data. But this year, ahead of the 2026 midterms, Trump has ignited a rare, mid-decade redistricting push across the country, demanding GOP-controlled states create more Republican congressional seats and inciting states run by Democrats to redraw their maps in response.

Lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina quickly bent to Trump’s will, rushing maps through shortened redistricting processes and passing them into law despite opposition from voters. Voting rights advocates have fought back with litigation.

But the ultimate outcome in Indiana appears less certain than in many other states.

Indiana Senate Republicans have repeatedly insisted they don’t have the votes to pass a gerrymander. 

After Trump released a message criticizing Republicans who opposed redistricting, at least five Indiana lawmakers were targeted in so-called “swatting” incidents, in which individuals submitted false emergency reports about them to local law enforcement. Others received bomb threats. 

As threats escalated against lawmakers, Senate leader Rodric Bray (R) announced last week that they would convene to hold a redistricting vote.

While the threats may have succeeded in forcing the vote, it’s less clear whether they will change any lawmakers’ positions.

State Sen. Jean Leising (R) said her home was the target of a pipe bomb threat over the weekend. 

“This is a result of the D.C. political pundits for redistricting,” she said on social media, adding that she “will not cave” on opposing redistricting.