Indiana Senate Defeats Trump‑Backed Redistricting Map, Halting GOP Sweep
Updated (6 articles)
Senate rejects map by 31‑19 on Dec 11, 2025 The Indiana Senate voted 31‑19 to reject the congressional redistricting plan that would have given Republicans control of all nine seats [1]. The defeat came after the measure cleared a 6‑3 committee vote earlier in the week [2]. Lawmakers cited concerns that the map would erase the two Democratic districts currently held by André Carson and Frank Mrvan [1][2].
Map would split Indianapolis and dilute Democratic strongholds The proposed plan divided Indianapolis into four districts extending into rural Republican‑leaning areas, effectively cracking the city’s Democratic base [2][5]. It also paired East Chicago and Gary with a broad rural region, further weakening Democratic representation [2]. Democrats warned the design would dilute Black voters and eliminate the two Democratic seats [5].
President Trump applied direct pressure and threatened primaries Trump publicly urged Indiana Republicans to adopt the map “as is,” naming nine senators he wanted to persuade and threatening primary challenges against dissenters [4][5]. He framed the map as essential to protect the party ahead of the 2026 midterms [4]. After the Senate’s rejection, Trump dismissed the loss as a lack of effort by his supporters [1].
Lawmakers faced threats, swatting and intimidation Roughly a dozen Republican senators reported threats to their homes and families, including swatting incidents, as Trump intensified his push [4][5]. Senate leaders noted a hostile environment, with chants of “Vote no!” and “Fair maps!” heard during debates [1]. The security concerns added pressure on legislators already divided over the plan [3].
Sources
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1.
AP: Indiana Senate Rejects Trump‑Backed Redistricting Plan – Details the Dec 11 Senate vote, the 31‑19 defeat, and reactions from Trump and GOP leaders .
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2.
AP: Indiana Senate committee advances redistricting measure backed by Trump toward final floor vote – Describes the 6‑3 committee vote, map specifics, and planned Thursday floor vote .
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3.
CNN: Indiana GOP voters show mixed signals on Trump-backed redistricting – Reports on House approval, voter interviews, and internal Senate splits, highlighting mixed Republican voter sentiment .
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4.
AP: Indiana Republicans face threats amid Trump-backed redistricting push in Indiana Senate – Focuses on threats to senators, Trump’s pressure tactics, and security incidents .
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5.
AP: Indiana House Passes Trump‑Backed Redistricting Map, Senate Set for Decision – Covers the 57‑41 House vote, map’s impact on Democratic districts, and the looming Senate decision .
Timeline
2021 – The previous congressional map, drawn after the 2020 census, is adopted after months of public hearings, establishing nine districts with two Democratic seats in Indianapolis and the northwest, setting the baseline for the 2025 redistricting fight. [6]
Dec 1, 2025 – Indiana House Republicans unveil a draft congressional map that splits Indianapolis into four districts, eliminates the two Democratic‑held seats, and keeps all nine districts under GOP control, prompting immediate backlash from Democrats and warnings of diluted Black voting power. [6]
Dec 5, 2025 – The House votes 57‑41 to adopt the map, fast‑tracking it after a single week of debate; President Trump urges senators to pass the plan “AS IS,” naming nine legislators he will pressure, while Democratic Rep. Greg Porter decries the “racial gerrymander” that cracks Marion County. [5]
Dec 6, 2025 – Threats against at least a dozen Republican senators intensify, including swatting and hoax calls, as Trump publicly threatens Senate leaders—especially Rodric Bray—and Turning Point Action pledges money to unseat opponents; Governor Mike Braun and House leaders reaffirm support for the map. [4][5]
Dec 8, 2025 – The Senate elections committee votes 6‑3 to advance the map, sending it to the full chamber; supporters argue the plan will secure GOP dominance in the 2026 midterms, while opponents chant “Vote no!” and “Fair maps!” amid reports of further intimidation. [3]
Dec 9‑12, 2025 – The full Indiana Senate begins a weeklong floor debate on the redistricting proposal, reviewing the four‑district Indianapolis split and the elimination of Democratic seats, while lawmakers cite ongoing threats and the specter of primary challenges from Trump. [1]
Dec 11, 2025 – The Senate rejects the Trump‑backed map 31‑19, preserving the two Democratic districts; Trump dismisses the loss as a “lack of effort,” but continues to threaten primary challenges against dissenting senators, and Republican leaders like former Gov. Mitch Daniels praise the dissenters. [2]
2026 – The next midterm election looms, with the contested map poised to determine whether Republicans could capture all nine Indiana House seats, a scenario that would reshape the state's congressional delegation and national GOP prospects. [3][5]
All related articles (6 articles)
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AP: Indiana Senate Rejects Trump‑Backed Redistricting Plan
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AP: Indiana Senate committee advances redistricting measure backed by Trump toward final floor vote
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CNN: Indiana GOP voters show mixed signals on Trump-backed redistricting
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AP: Indiana Republicans face threats amid Trump-backed redistricting push in Indiana Senate
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AP: Indiana House Passes Trump‑Backed Redistricting Map, Senate Set for Decision
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AP: Indiana Senate to Reopen on Dec. 8 as GOP Pushes New Congressional Map