Indiana House Republicans have unveiled a draft congressional map that would give the GOP a political advantage in all nine of the state’s congressional districts. If approved, the proposal could allow Republicans to pick up as many as two additional seats, although the plan is still far from guaranteed to pass.
The most significant changes are in the two Democratic-leaning districts currently represented by Reps. Frank Mrvan and André Carson. Under the new map, Marion County, where Indianapolis is located, would be divided into four separate districts. This would lessen the concentration of Democratic voters and weaken the party’s influence in the area.
The proposal aligns with President Donald Trump’s call for Republicans to secure every seat in Indiana, but several challenges remain before it can become law.
State House Speaker Todd Huston has repeatedly insisted that his chamber can pass the map, while Speaker Mike Johnson recently encouraged lawmakers during a weekend call described as heavily motivational.
However, the map still faces uncertainty in the Indiana Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray has remained hesitant to support the redrawing effort. Meanwhile, pressure continues to build from the White House and outside groups that support redistricting. One lawmaker even received a pipe bomb threat over the weekend due to rising tensions.
Republicans who oppose redrawing the lines have argued that the party should focus on flipping competitive seats instead of restructuring districts.
Bray told POLITICO last month that public opinion is incorrectly framing the debate as a choice between keeping the current seven to two split or redrawing to achieve nine to zero. He noted that no one knows which candidates will run, making assumptions unpredictable.
The release of the draft map follows months of discussions between the White House and Indiana officials, including two visits from Vice President JD Vance.
The state House is expected to vote on the map later this week. The state Senate will consider the House-approved version next week. Turning Point USA, one of the groups advocating for redistricting, plans to hold a rally at the statehouse on Friday.
If lawmakers approve the plan, Indiana would become the fourth Republican-controlled state to redraw districts before the midterms. So far, GOP-led states have crafted maps in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri that could net nine seats, although court battles are ongoing.
A panel of federal judges blocked the Texas map last month, but the Supreme Court has allowed it to remain active while it reviews the case before the state’s filing deadline next week.
Democrats have also made redistricting gains. California’s Proposition 50 could give Democrats up to five new seats, and a court ordered Utah to redraw its map. Utah Republicans plan to appeal. In Virginia, Democrats have begun their own redistricting process, which will continue early next year. Internal party debates in Maryland and Illinois have slowed down Democratic-led gerrymandering efforts.
Republicans still have additional opportunities. Florida is expected to address the issue later this month, while Kansas and Kentucky may take up redistricting in January. Other GOP attempts in Nebraska and New Hampshire have faced setbacks.