Indiana’s Republican Gov. Mike Braun has announced that he is convening a special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional map.
The move is expected to solidify Republican strength ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and potentially add up to two GOP seats.
In a Monday statement posted to X, Braun said the move was aimed at “protecting Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington.”
“I am calling a special legislative session to protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair,” Braun wrote.
“I am also asking the legislature to conform Indiana’s tax code with new federal tax provisions to ensure stability and certainty for taxpayers and tax preparers for 2026 filings.”
I am calling a special legislative session to protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair.
I am also asking the legislature to conform Indiana's tax code with new federal tax… pic.twitter.com/WXFrIqRQPH
— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) October 27, 2025
The announcement comes after President Donald Trump reportedly called Indiana GOP lawmakers earlier this month to urge them to redraw congressional district lines.
The move is in response to Democrat-led redistricting efforts in states like Illinois and California.
Indiana’s congressional delegation currently consists of seven Republicans and two Democrats.
Braun did not specify whether his goal is to flip one or both Democrat-held seats.
However, state Republicans have openly signaled their desire to counter what they see as aggressive Democrat gerrymandering elsewhere.
GOP Support for Redistricting
State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R) voiced strong support for the initiative, writing on Facebook that Braun’s move will “strengthen Indiana’s voice in Congress.”
“It’s no secret that many blue states are already heavily gerrymandered to benefit the Democratic Party,” Baldwin wrote.
“They continue to squeeze out additional blue seats from already blue states, while the voices of states like Indiana are increasingly drowned out in Congress.
“Redistricting now stands to elevate Hoosier voices for critical issues in Congress.”
Indiana’s Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita also backed Braun’s push, promising to defend the new map once it is finalized.
“We’ve been clear from the start that redistricting should happen and are ready, once the new map gets across the finish line, to defend it in court,” Rokita posted to X.
Democrats Call Move ‘Illegitimate’
Indiana Democrats quickly condemned the decision.
The Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus accused Braun of bowing to Trump’s influence rather than acting on behalf of state residents.
“Gov. Braun just called an illegitimate session to rig our maps—for Trump,” Democrats wrote in a post on X.
“Not for the Constitution.
“Not a court order. Just Trump.
“He chose DC over Indiana.
“Power over people.
“Cheating over leadership.
“Prove him wrong. Show up. Speak out.”
Democrats in other states have been engaged in similar redistricting battles.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) reportedly visited Illinois this week to push Democratic lawmakers to redraw congressional lines to favor their party.
Punchbowl News reported that Jeffries met with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and members of the state’s congressional delegation to discuss the issue.
Meanwhile, California’s Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom is pursuing a plan to alter his state’s congressional map following Texas Republicans’ August redistricting, which aims to flip as many as five seats to the GOP.
A Growing National Battle Over Maps
The escalating redistricting fight reflects a broader partisan arms race ahead of the 2026 elections, as both parties seek to maximize their representation in the House of Representatives.
Vice President JD Vance met with Indiana lawmakers in early August to discuss the political implications of redistricting, signaling that the issue has caught the attention of the White House.
Braun’s decision to reconvene lawmakers underscores how state-level control of congressional boundaries remains one of the most powerful levers in national politics.
With both parties moving aggressively to redraw lines in their favor, Indiana has now entered the front lines of the redistricting war.
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