Indiana GOPers Defy Trump, Vote Against Gerrymander Session

The Indiana State Senate rejected President Donald Trump’s call for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. The move preserves Indiana’s current map and represents yet another rebuke of Trump’s national gerrymander push.

Tuesday’s 29-18 vote shut down the proposed December session that Trump and Gov. Mike Braun (R) had pressed for. Nineteen GOP senators broke with Trump’s demands, joining all Democratic senators to ensure the special session doesn’t happen.

Earlier, Trump framed the Indiana resistance as a personal affront.

“Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State,” he posted. “Any Republican that votes against this important redistricting should be PRIMARIED.”

The threats underscored how aggressively Trump tried to force Indiana into a mid-decade gerrymander. Indiana already has one of the most Republican-tilted congressional maps in the country. 

Braun, who Trump also attacked in his rant, also pressured the legislature. 

“I just had a great call with President Trump!” Braun wrote. “Indiana’s State Legislators must show up for work and take a public vote for fair maps. But the Indiana State Senate is hiding behind closed doors and refusing to even bring redistricting to a vote.”

Braun responded to the Senate’s refusal by dramatically escalating the internal GOP conflict, accusing his own chamber’s leader of siding with Democrats and openly threatening to help primary Republican senators who blocked the gerrymander session. 

“Unfortunately, Sen. Rod Bray was forced to partner with DEMOCRATS to block an effort by the growing number of America First Senators who wanted to have a vote on passing fair maps,” Braun said. “Now I am left with no choice other than to explore all options at my disposal to compel the State Senate to show up and vote.”

Braun did not elaborate on what he would do, other than threatening to primary incumbent Republicans.

Trump and Braun hoped a redraw could expand the delegation from 7–2 to 9–0.

But for now, Senate Republicans chose to defy the pressure. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) had already announced the opposition last week, saying “there are not enough votes to move forward” with redistricting. 

Under Indiana rules, adjourning for more than three days means lawmakers cannot reconvene without a new call, effectively killing the December session.

The pressure to gerrymander may return in January, when lawmakers reconvene. But Tuesday’s vote signals that Trump should no longer assume automatic obedience from GOP-led state legislatures.