Indiana had the makings to become a holdout in the redistricting wars. Now the resistance to new maps is fading.
The Hoosier State movement underscores just how hard it is for Republicans to deny the redistricting push the White House so badly wants.
GOP Gov. Mike Braun suggested on a local Indiana radio show Tuesday that he expects state legislators to come around to the effort. Braun warned there’d likely be “consequences of not working with the Trump administration as tightly as we should” if Indiana Republicans don’t get on board.
This is the most supportive posture Braun has publicly taken about redistricting. State legislative leaders in the Indiana House and Senate have remained largely quiet on the prospect even amid heavy pressure from President Donald Trump and the White House. Braun’s comments could provide a helpful nudge.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) told us he’s talked with legislators back home about the need to redistrict, citing other states’ efforts and the ability to help keep Republicans’ House majority.
“Some of the members that have said ‘absolutely not’ at the beginning are now saying ‘yes we have to do this,’” Stutzman said. “Now that they’ve learned the circumstances a little bit. I think the momentum is really building.”
Delegation dynamics. Republicans could try to pick up one or two more seats in Indiana — two seems most likely. The state currently has seven Republicans and two Democrats in the House.
The next step would be for Braun to call a special session, possibly for November.
Stutzman said the delegation has discussed the issue “here and there” but not together as a group.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) cheered the effort.
“Sometimes it’s good to, well, make districts all competitive,” Spartz said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
