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The Indiana Senate voted against a new Republican-drawn congressional map on Thursday (December 11), marking a significant rebuke to President Donald Trump. The map, supported by Trump, aimed to boost Republican control in the upcoming midterm elections by dismantling the state's two Democratic-controlled districts. Despite pressure from Trump and national Republicans, the map failed in the Senate with a 31-19 vote.
For months, Trump and his allies urged Indiana lawmakers to pass the new map, even threatening to back primary challengers against those who opposed it. However, the GOP leaders of Indiana's Senate resisted, citing insufficient support for the mid-decade redistricting effort. Some lawmakers faced violent threats and harassment during the debate.
The proposed map would have increased Republican control from seven to all nine of Indiana's congressional seats by splitting Indianapolis into four districts. This would have reshaped Democratic U.S. Rep. André Carson's district and eliminated U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan's northwest Indiana district.
Despite the pressure, several Republican senators, including State Sen. Greg Goode, voted against the map, citing the lack of constituent support for such a redistricting effort. Goode, who faced a swatting attempt, stated, "I’m confident that my vote reflects the will of my constituents."
The decision marks Indiana as the first GOP-led state to reject Trump's redistricting push. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray announced that the Senate would not reconvene in December to consider the map, despite a call for a special session by Governor Mike Braun.