(Statehouse) – Indiana Republican state senators on Thursday rejected a redrawn congressional map that would have favored their party in the 2026 elections, defying pressure from President Donald Trump.
House Bill 1032 was aimed at giving Republicans an advantage by splitting Indianapolis into four districts and potentially eliminating Democratic representatives’ districts.
The final vote was 31 against it and 19 in favor of it.
State Senator Jean Leising of Oldenburg cast a no vote while fellow Republican Southeastern Indiana lawmakers Randy Maxwell from Guilford, and Jeff Raatz, whose district includes part of Franklin County, voted yes.
Leising issued a statement on the rejection of House Bill 1032.
“Mid-cycle congressional redistricting in Indiana failed on the Senate floor yesterday with my ‘no’ vote,” Leising said. “I believe it is time to move on to our normal session schedule and focus on issues affecting our local communities, like addressing the availability of affordable rural health care and good jobs so Indiana residents can provide for their families. I will continue to fight for the needs of my constituents as we prepare for session in January.”
The Indiana House, also GOP-controlled, passed the map, and some Republicans are considering supporting primary opponents against the dissenting senators.
The new maps would have given Republicans theoretical control of all nine House seats. They already control seven of those seats.
(Network Indiana contributed to this story)
