Indiana Senate Republicans meet about redistricting behind closed doors

INDIANAPOLIS-- Indiana Senate Republicans are remaining tight-lipped following a closed-door meeting Wednesday to talk about the possibility of redistricting mid-decade.




When asked by a FOX59/CBS4 reporter outside the Senate Chambers, Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) said he had nothing to say about redistricting at this time. When pushed about whether an update on redistricting would be released at the end of this week or next week, Sen. Bray said, "No, I don't think so."




The White House is pushing Indiana leaders to redraw Indiana's Congressional maps early to give Republicans an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms.




Weeks ago, Sen. Bray and Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) met with President Donald Trump at the White House. Prior to that, Vice President JD Vance also met with Republican leaders at the Statehouse to make his case for redistricting now. Gov. Mike Braun has said he'll only call a special session if lawmakers agree to one.




State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) has called on his Republican colleagues to revisit legislation next session that would create an independent redistricting commission. He also warned that if Republicans ultimately decide to redistrict, Democrats would not shy away from pursuing legal action.




"Gerrymandering is wrong," Sen. Qaddoura said. "Two wrongs don't make a right, whether Democrats or Republicans do it, because it will erode our democracy and people will lose representation."




Republicans who did not want to be on camera on Wednesday, as the Senate has entered uncharted territory, but couldn't speak to whether enough of their colleagues were interested in redistricting early.




"I hope that the reasonable voices in the Republican caucuses in the House and the Senate would prevail," Sen. Qaddoura said.




Earlier this week, State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Indianapolis), who supports redistricting, told FOX59/CBS4 it's still unclear if leadership will even call a special session.




"I would assume that it's like with all votes, you know, they're going to count the numbers before they do anything," Rep. Haggard said. "I want to find out what we're doing [and] move that direction because right now, I think we're spinning our wheels."




According to Republican strategist Michael Murphy, if lawmakers choose not to enter a special session, they run the risk of potential retribution from the Trump Administration.




"I think it is a good strategy for Bray and Houston not to say anything publicly or tip their hand until they know whether they have the votes or not," Murphy said. "The governor is an extension of Donald Trump, and if he does not get this done for Donald Trump, then he sinks in the eyes of Donald Trump and in the eyes of the Republican Party nationwide. The same thing with the legislators."




House Republicans will caucus virtually on Friday to discuss their options. FOX59/CBS4 reached out to House leadership for comment and has yet to hear back.



via: https://fox59.com/news/indiana-senate-republicans-meet-about-redistricting-behind-closed-doors/