Photo: AFP
Indiana Republicans have canceled a special legislative session to redraw the state's congressional maps and eliminate two Democratic-held House seats, marking a staggering loss for President Donald Trump, who requested the redistricting, per HuffPost.
“Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state’s congressional maps,” Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said in a statement on Friday (November 14). “Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December.”
The reversal marks a significant blow to Trump’s effort to pressure GOP-led states into mid-decade redistricting to protect the party’s narrow House majority ahead of the 2026 elections.
Republicans had hoped to flip Indiana’s only two Democratic seats, and White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance, heavily lobbied state leaders. After the plan collapsed, Trump adviser Chris LaCivita lashed out on X, writing: “BREAKING: Sen Rodric Bray announces retirement.”
The Indiana decision comes after California voters approved a measure allowing Democrats to bypass the state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission and potentially eliminate up to five Republican seats. The move would offset the five-seat advantage Texas Republicans sought when they ignited the redistricting fight earlier this year.
With Indiana off the table, Republicans have redrawn maps in four states, while redistricting in California, Utah, and potentially Virginia is set to favor Democrats.
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