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Indiana’s Republican-dominated Senate voted Tuesday to adjourn until January, defying mounting pressure from President Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Braun to redraw the state’s congressional districts before the 2026 session begins.
The 29–19 vote on “organization day,” the ceremonial kickoff of the legislative year, amounted to an explicit rejection of a redistricting special session — and escalated an already volatile internal clash over Trump’s nationwide effort to engineer a stronger GOP majority in the U.S. House.
White House pressure meets resistance in Indianapolis
Trump has spent months urging Indiana Republicans to approve new maps that could give the GOP a chance at winning all nine of the state’s House seats next year, up from the current 7–2 advantage. His push intensified after a federal court struck down Texas Republicans’ new congressional map, threatening to erase as many as five prospective GOP pickups.
But despite Trump’s threat this week to back primary challengers against Republican senators who refuse to support redistricting, lawmakers showed no signs of budging.
“I’ve been a legislator 42 years. I’m not going to change my vote,” said Sen. Vaneta Becker, an Evansville Republican who said her office has received more than 750 calls opposing new maps and just 37 in favor. “Hoosiers are not used to being sort of in blackmail position. It does not bode well.”
Senate leadership digs in
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Martinsville Republican who publicly stated the Senate lacks the votes for redistricting, said Tuesday’s adjournment vote clearly reflected the chamber’s stance.
He told reporters he has spoken with Trump about the issue and respects the president’s passion but believes Republicans can still hold eight of Indiana’s nine House seats next fall without new maps.
“This is not a binary choice between the 7–2 ratio you have right now and redistricting into an automatic 9–0,” Bray said, noting the GOP sees the competitive 1st District in northwest Indiana as a potential pickup.
Trump responded on social media by calling Bray a “RINO” and warning he would have a “Primary Problem.” Bray, who is not up for reelection until 2028, dismissed the threat, saying he is “honored” to speak with Trump but believes the Senate is taking the “best way forward.”
Braun threatens to force lawmakers back
Gov. Mike Braun, who has aligned fully with Trump’s plan, issued a sharp rebuke after the adjournment vote. He accused Bray of partnering with Democrats to block the effort and said he is exploring ways to “compel” the Senate into session.
“I will support President Trump’s efforts to recruit, endorse, and finance primary challengers for Indiana’s senators who refuse to support fair maps,” Braun said.
The governor’s warning deepened tensions within the GOP caucus. Sen. Mike Young, an Indianapolis Republican, blasted Bray on the Senate floor, calling his refusal to convene a special session “a slap in the face of the governor.”
“Imagine waking up on Wednesday, the day after elections next November, and we find ourselves in the minority by one or two votes,” Young said. “Elections have consequences, and we won.”
Divergence between grassroots and national Republicans
While Trump and his allies have mounted an advertising and pressure campaign to force the issue, several long-serving Indiana legislators say their constituents view the push as unnecessary — and unwelcome.
“Hoosiers are very thoughtful, and I know for myself, I represent my constituents,” Becker said. “It’s not a good look for legislators, in my opinion, to kowtow to that.”
The path forward remains uncertain. Bray has indicated the Senate will not revisit redistricting during the regular session unless a significant shift occurs, while Braun and Trump appear determined to keep the fight alive well into the election year.
