• Trump labels Indiana senators RINOs for blocking congressional map redraw
• State becomes first GOP-led legislature rejecting presidential redistricting push
• Senate President cites insufficient votes to move gerrymandering forward

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (TDR) — President Donald Trump threatened primary challenges against Indiana Republican senators who refused to redraw congressional districts, calling them “RINO Senators” for declining to gerrymander maps that could add two GOP House seats. The confrontation marks the first Republican-led state legislature rejecting Trump’s mid-decade redistricting campaign.

“Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State,” Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social. “Because of these two politically correct type ‘gentlemen,’ and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!”

Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray announced Friday the chamber would not reconvene in December as planned. “Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state’s congressional maps,” Bray said. “Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward.”

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The decision represents a significant setback to Trump’s broader strategy of pressuring Republican-controlled states to aggressively gerrymander congressional maps before the 2026 midterms. Republicans currently hold seven of Indiana’s nine House seats.

Governor Mike Braun, who called the special session at Trump’s behest, expressed frustration with state senators. “I called for our legislators to convene to ensure Hoosiers’ voices in Washington, D.C., are not diluted by the Democrats’ gerrymandering,” Braun said. “Our state senators need to do the right thing and show up to vote for fair maps.”

Trump suggested Braun shares responsibility for the failure. “Braun, perhaps, is not working the way he should to get the necessary votes,” he wrote, demanding senators “DO THEIR JOB, AND DO IT NOW! If not, let’s get them out of office, ASAP.”

Trump allies immediately attacked Bray following the announcement. Former Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita suggested Bray was announcing his “retirement,” while adviser Alex Bruesewitz blasted a “monumental betrayal” by “spineless RINO ‘legislators.'”

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Among the 40-member Republican caucus, 13 senators publicly supported redistricting while eight opposed it. Neither Bray nor Greg Goode revealed their positions. Goode held a November town hall where not one constituent spoke in support of redrawing maps.

Goode responded to criticism by invoking faith. “For those trying to bully me on redistricting, I love you,” he posted. “I pray to our Lord and Savior for wisdom and reflect on political heroes who stood up for the greater good above the politics of the day.”

Democrats praised the decision. Representative André Carson said: “We’re about independent thinking — not taking orders from Washington. Hoosiers do things differently.”

The redistricting push gained momentum after Texas Republicans redrew their congressional map at Trump’s direction earlier this year. Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio followed with aggressive Republican gerrymanders. Democrats responded by passing California’s Proposition 50, temporarily allowing partisan redistricting for 2026 and 2030.

Indiana joins Kansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire as Republican-led states resisting mid-decade map changes. The refusal could impact House control heading into closely contested 2026 midterms.

The failed December session also delays updates to Indiana’s tax code, potentially complicating 2025 filings. Braun’s special session order requested lawmakers align state law with federal changes enacted through Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Should state legislatures redraw congressional maps mid-decade for partisan advantage or maintain current boundaries until after the census?

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