Gov. Braun noncommittal on redistricting session

NEW CASTLE, Ind. (WISH) — Gov. Mike Braun on Tuesday told News 8 he’s “in no particular hurry” to decide whether to call a special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts.

Braun’s remarks to News 8 marked the first time he had spoken publicly on the matter since he, House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President pro tempore Rod Bray, both fellow Republicans, met with Vice President JD Vance at the Statehouse on Thursday. Vance discussed redistricting with them during the closed-door meeting.

Republicans hold 218 seats in the U.S. House, barely enough for a majority. The Trump administration is urging Republican-led state legislatures nationwide to redraw their congressional maps in favor of their party ahead of next year’s midterms.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, already called a special redistricting session in his state, prompting Texas Democratic lawmakers to leave the state to prevent a quorum and thus block the Texas Legislature from conducting business.

Braun said he’s waiting to see what state lawmakers think before he decides whether to call a special session.

“I think both caucus leaders are trying to size that up and we’re in no particular hurry,” he said Tuesday. “We want to do it in a way that makes sense both for the reasons coming from the Trump administration and what makes sense for us as well.”

At least three Republicans in the Indiana House already have said on social media they will not support any redistricting effort.

Rep. Danny Lopez, R-Carmel, pointed to the maps lawmakers approved in 2021 following the previous year’s census.

Fellow Carmel Republican Rep. Becky Cash said she doesn’t see a need for redistricting.

Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, called the idea “highly unusual and politically optically horrible” and added, “I don’t believe Republicans should stoop to the level of Democrats on this issue.”

Republicans currently hold seven of Indiana’s nine congressional seats. The Cook Partisan Voting Index gives Republicans double-digit margins in all but one of those districts, while Democrat André Carson’s 7th District, which covers the northern two-thirds of Marion County, is rated D+21. Democrat Frank Mrvan’s 1st District, in northwest Indiana, is the only truly competitive district, currently rated D+1. Any attempt to redraw his district would mean, at a minimum, changing the boundaries of the 2nd and 4th districts, currently held by Republicans Rudy Yakym and Jim Baird, respectively. Cook Political currently rates those respective districts R+13 and R+15.

When News 8 asked Braun if he thought it would be worth potentially weakening Yakym and Baird’s districts in an effort to flip Mrvan’s, he said, “I think if you did anything like that, it would make sense that you didn’t do it, not to mention, should you do it in the first place? I think all of that will be thoughtfully discussed among our legislators.”

Huston’s office said the speaker was aware of lawmakers’ individual comments on redistricting and he did not have any comment beyond his statement on Thursday, in which Huston said lawmakers would have “continuing conversations.”

Bray’s office did not return a request for comment.

Statements

“I have heard from several folks and want to be clear on my position. I am a hard “no” on potential efforts to redraw electoral maps in Indiana mid-decade. Just a few years ago, our General Assembly undertook the complex redistricting process based on up-to-date census data, drawing fair maps that ensure every Hoosier vote counts. We should stand by that work. I am looking forward to the next legislative session and continuing to focus my energy and attention on issues that matter most to Hoosiers.”
Indiana state Rep. Danny Lopez, R-Carmel via X

“Besides being highly unusual and politically optically horrible, I don’t believe Republicans should stoop to the level of Democrats on this issue. Republicans hold about 90% of all local offices statewide and once the voter rolls get purged of illegals, we will hold an even more commanding lead. Democrats can’t compete with their Socialist policies and ideology and if there are seats that need targeted, we should do it the old fashioned way and campaign harder in those districts.”
Indiana state Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, via Facebook

“I do not support redistricting and do not know of any reason why Indiana should redistrict.”
Indiana state Rep. Becky Cash, R-Carmel, via Facebook

Previous coverage

• A special legislative session could cost Indiana taxpayers over $500,000, expert says
• Ball State professor: Possibility of special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps
• Trump’s redistricting fight mushrooms with Vance in Indiana, and Florida joining the fray
• Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shares thoughts on redistricting efforts

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