Indiana Governor Mike Braun reportedly sharply criticized fellow Republicans on Thursday after the state Senate rejected a Congressional redistricting proposal heavily backed by President Donald Trump. Braun, who is serving his first term as governor after leaving the U.S. Senate, accused a faction of GOP lawmakers of siding with Democrats to block a new map designed to flip two House seats to Republican control in the 2026 midterms.
“I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump,” Braun said. “Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences. I will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers.”
While Braun described the opposition as a “small group,” in reality, a majority of Republican senators voted against the map. A community note on his post pointed out that 21 of the 40 GOP state senators opposed the plan.
The redistricting proposal failed decisively on a 19–31 vote, with more Republicans than Democrats rejecting the Trump-endorsed map. Senator Sue Glick, one of the Republicans who voted no, stressed Indiana’s independent streak: “You have to know Hoosiers — we can’t be bullied.” Senator Greg Walker said he believed the map was “unconstitutional.”
Republican Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten delivered a fiery speech urging support for the overhaul, arguing openly that politics is part of governing. “Some will say these maps are political. Let me be clear, you’re damn right they are!” Garten said. “Safe streets are political… Affordable electricity is political… A drug-free Indiana is political.”
Following the defeat, President Trump unloaded on Senate Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, who voted against the measure. “He’ll probably lose his next primary… I hope he does, because he’s done a tremendous disservice,” Trump said. “I’ll certainly support anyone who wants to go against him.”
Trump acknowledged he could have personally pushed harder for the redistricting plan: “I won Indiana all three times by a landslide. And I wasn’t working on it very hard. It would’ve been nice. I think we would’ve picked up two seats if we did that.”
Vice President JD Vance — who traveled to Indiana earlier this year to help advance the effort — also blasted Bray, accusing him of telling the White House he would not oppose the plan “while simultaneously whipping his members against it.” Bray denied the accusations, insisting he simply allowed senators to vote as they wished.
The failed Indiana effort stands in contrast to redistricting victories in other Republican-led states. Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have already approved new Congressional maps expected to benefit the GOP, while California voters approved a new map likely to help Democrats.
With Trump signaling he will actively back primary challenges, Indiana’s political landscape could shift dramatically heading into 2026.
[READ MORE: Judge Blocks Authorities From Re-Arresting Controversial Migrant as DHS Vows to Fight Order “Tooth and Nail”]
