Indiana Senate leader silent as Braun, Trump increase redistricting pressure

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Senate’s top Republican on Monday would not respond to Gov. Mike Braun’s demand he reverse his decision to call off a special session on congressional redistricting.

Senate President pro tempore Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, walked away from reporters and would not answer their questions following Monday’s annual legislative preview sponsored by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

He also would not answer questions about a swatting incident that targeted a member of his caucus, Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute. Goode has not yet publicly taken a position on redistricting. He held a town hall on the matter on Nov. 1 in Terre Haute.

Bray on Friday threw cold water on the prospect of a redistricting session when he announced Senate Republicans still don’t have enough votes to support new maps mid-cycle and said the Senate will not convene until January.

Braun swiftly condemned the move, writing on X, “Our state senators need to do the right thing and show up to vote for fair maps.”

President Donald Trump joined the fray on Truth Social on Sunday. On Monday afternoon, he updated his frustration with Indiana lawmakers.

“In the entire United States of America, Republican or Democrat, only Indiana ‘Republican’ State Senator Rod Bray, a Complete and Total RINO, is opposed to redistricting for purposes of gaining additional seats in Congress. The Democrats have proved to be dishonest and untrustworthy in anything having to do with Elections or Election Integrity. Republicans must be TOUGH and SMART if we are going to win the Midterms. The Rod Brays of Politics are WEAK and PATHETIC. I wish he cared about saving our Country as much as Democrats care about destroying it. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

President Donald Trump, Nov. 17, 2025, on Truth Social

On Monday morning, Braun posted he had spoken with Trump and assured the president he was still committed to redrawing the maps. In a new social media post, Braun accused the Senate of “hiding behind closed doors” and again insisted on a vote to put all lawmakers on the record.

Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, said state senators are showing up for work and they are hearing from their constituents that they should leave the maps alone.

“This wasn’t a party thing. This was Hoosiers saying we are a state that doesn’t cheat, we are a state that abides by the rules,” she said. “What they have heard again and again, each and every one of us, the needs of Hoosiers are about affordability. That is the work, and I haven’t seen anybody hiding behind closed doors.”

Bray made no mention of the redistricting debate during his remarks at Monday’s event. He did indicate he still plans to bring the Senate back on Jan. 5, rather than Dec. 1 as lawmakers had planned to redraw the state’s congressional districts. That answer was in response to a question about aligning state tax policy with changes in federal law.

Tuesday is Organization Day, the ceremonial start of the 2026 legislative session. Leaders in both chambers are likely to make further scheduling announcements then.

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